New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-09
TIE MENAGERIE IN CENTRAL PARK.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ANIMALS THERE-A TALK
WITH TIE PARK DIRECTOR.
AS the days grow warmer pleasure-seekers
1,cx to Central Park, and, as usual, the ami
mails in the mcnagerie attract much attention.
They are generally in fine condition. Many Of tho9e
that were there during the Winter belonged 10 p.
T. Barnum. and now they on the road with him.
But enough remain to make g0Od show.
William A. COnkn, the Park Director recently gave
TIE TRIBUNE reporter the following facts concerning
some Of the animals now Oh exhibition:
"Barnum has left his elephant, Emperor, here" he
said think lie afraid TO take him. since the an
lma killed those two keepershe last one In Boston In
1879 One of the keepers was leading him into freight
car and as the man got opposite the edge OF
the opening, Emperor threw his whole weight
on him, crushing the poor fellow into Jelly A lew
wears ago we had trouble with him. He broke loose and
ran for one the keepers who seeing bis danger sezed
a red.hot iron that had been placed on the stove
for lust such an emergency aud struck him blow
the trunk this hurt him so that heeasy subducd him.
The older an elephant gets the more trouble he
causes. His vciOusness increases with age. En-
peror is twenty-five years old. Some OF them
live to be n hun lred but they usually killed when
about IN their feth year. for after that age f. IS dan
gerous TO 90 anywhere near them. Our camel
gave birth TO little about four weeks ago. At times
cames dan erous. They have a Tetentive memory
and seldom forget injury About ak years ago the
male camel we have here now ran with open mouth to-
ward Keeper WRO was Ieedlng MIN. beelng
the mans danger l seized n pltchfork that
stood near and plunged 1t into him.
That saved the few weeks later had forgotten
the occurrence. One morning Of tho keepers
into my office to tell me that something allied the
cames foot. without hesltating mOmentI went into
the stable and walking up the animal knel down TO
see what allied him. All ut 1t struck that was
IN a dangerous position and / attempted 70 rise; but
before | could do the creature had seized me
with his teeth in the small 0f the back and ltiHg
up, shook II mad been rat. Ny clothing gave
way ana | dropped TO the ground. He then jumped
upon me- breaking my log The heavy clothing that
had on undoubtedly saved my HE.
This tiger" continued Mr. COnkin pointing TO DOW
effu hercclOOking animal has taken great dislike
10 me she was born in Antwerp about five wears ago
We paid dealer 81 900 for her. Size ia named America
This pau Their captured in Texas by general in the
war VINO kept him In camp for inc nut the crr-
ture bad taken such dislike % the negroes that
officer had 10 part with hun lie ought 10 have sent
named FANNIE, native Of South America, whose
mother was shot when she MAS only two
days old. she sucked for some months By a
woman and has very gentle doclle Opposition
which l think she owes 10 her fosteruuther. MIR.
COnklln said this with straight facet
This q fine beast" he added. pointing 10 the large
African Hon. He has taken great dislike 10 the car
From the window opposite his cage lac eau see
the road along which lie man passes on bis
way 70 and from the stable. Ea'ly IN Tue