Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Caging a Tiger at Singapore.
London Field.

The interest of the community at
Singapore was lately excited by the
announcement that q fine tiger had
been captured in a pit situated in a
Chinaman's garden close to the eight
milestone on the Bukit Tina road
leading to Johore. This road, usually
almost deserted, became alive with
spectators proceeding either by car
riage, on horseback or on foot to and
from the scene of the capture.
The pit in which the tiger was
caught was circular, and measured
eleven 1eet deep by three feet IN dame
ter, contracting slightly at the bottom
1t was dug in sandy clay, and as tbs
sides were clean cut the tiger was not
able to escape by scrambling up. The
situation Was on the margin of a
jungle forest, and the pit, along with
others, had been dug for the purpose
of capturing wild pigs These pits are
covered over with thin sticks an2
grass or leaves, so that any unwary
animal is quite unaware of the. un-
sound state of the ground. 1t is
presumed that the tiger was either IN
pursuit of wild pig, or was vending
his way to an adjoining farm yard,
when he got into difficulties.
AS soon as the owner of the pit into
which the tiger had fallen was aware
of his prize, he covered the mouth OF
the pit with strong planks and at once
looked around for a purchaser, who
was soon found. The sum of $125
(about 92O) was paid for the tiger as
it lay at the bottom of the pit, and il
afterward cost $50 to have him Gagged
and conveyed to Singapore. While
negotiations were being carried on
specta tors were permitted to look al
the magnificent animal, for which
purpose the covering Of planks was
partially removed. He did not at al
relish these visitors, and gave marked
signs of disapproval by growing and
springing up. He had, however,
very little room for movement, but
on enc occasion nearly reached the
top of the pit.
For nearly six days the poor captive
lay In the pit (being fed very sparing
ly so as to reduce his energy), while
preparations were being made fol
caging him. AT first large square
hole was dug adjcent to the pit and i
was intended to place the cage into
this hole, having done which the par
tition of earth between the hole ane
the pit was to have been knocked
away and the tiger driven into the
cage. After the hole was dug the
plan was, however, abandoned, as Il
was clumsy and dangerous, and the
operation Of caging the tiger was pur
in the hands of six Malays, who, as
a race, are noted for their knowledge
of woodcraft and of the habits of ami
mails. I, with two other officers anC
a lady of the garrison, were the only
Europeans who were fortunate enough
to witness the rare sight of cagiug .
wild tiger, and [ will attempt to des
cribe the operation in detail
The manner in which the Malay;
worked was much to be admired.
Every arrangement was most com
pletc, SO that no accident could IN al
human probability occur, and when
the difficult parts of the work were
going on, strict silence was maintain
ed among the operators, each of whom
W hHOW LIS IO1c Will CAdCbI
tude, and all worked like one machine
There seemed no fear and no hurry
while, in addition to their endea vors
to bring their labors to successful
conclusion, they seemed to have
thorough sympathy with the victim
whom they treated as gently as pos
sible.
The first thing done was to rig up {
strong beam at height of about nine
feet ever the hole, and this was sup
ported on welI-secured uprights. tc
which it was firmly lashed with
withes. Next there were prepared
two cylindrical baskets made O
green rattan. One of these basket: