Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-29
A LITTER OF TIGER PUPS.
Uproar Among Central Park Animals
All Born Dead.

All Born Dead.
From the Nelc YORK. Tribune.
The keeper at the Central Park Arsenal
who has charge Of the animals, was awak-
ened early yesterday morning by pro-
longed bowls, as if all the animals in the
collection had broken loose, and were in
deadly combat. He hurried to the build
ing IN the rear of the arsenal, where the
larger ANIMALS are confined, and looked
III carefully before he entered A series
OF cages ran down each side of the build
ing. They are built with heavy ironba rs.
some ofthe bars being an inch thick. For
greater precautiOn the windows are also
covered with iron gratings aud the doors
are oil massive oak that would stand a
siege IKE an Old-time fortress. If any
ANIMAL should escape from his cage he
would only ind himself in a larger and
stronger cage. A fine lion and loness
are IN these cages, besides several bears,
hyen0s, panthers, wildcats, one of the
largest South American pumas ever can.
tured alive, and Royal Bengal tiger and
tigeress.
The keeper could not see that any Of
the animals had broken out Oftheir cages,
out all OF Them appeared to be in a state
OF the widest excitement. The tiger
paced rapidly up aud down his cage,
Jhrustlng his huge paws between the bars
and believing continuously as he tried to
force them apart. The lion lay as if
crouched Tor spring in the middle of his
cage, thrashing his tail and lifting his
head at intervals with loud roar, and
the lioness darted from one side to the
other OF the cage, joining In the lions
cries. The keeper could see nothing of
no Inv. r,fs, -.
been separated from her mate, as it was
expected she would soon give birth to
litter Of pups. The greatest care was
taken Of her, one portion Of the cage be-
ing boxed and clean bed of straw placed
in 1t every day.
The tigress has been indisposed and in
low spirits for a week. Her royal mas.
ter was in great anxiety about her and
would whine and call TO her from his
cage adjoining whenever he ceased to hear
her. Supt. Conklln had given instruc-
tons to have every attention paid to the
tlgress. When the keeper had satisfied
himself that none Of the animals We're at
large he entered the building and soon
discovered that the cause of the commO-
ton WAS in the tigress' cage. He could
see her stretched upon the floor of the in
ner cage. turning over on her back and
then getting partly up and giving one of
the long bowls which had awakened him.
The cry was like that of a cat, much
louder, ending in a roar. He could not
prevail on the animal to come out into
the open cage, and as he looked he dis
covered another object in the cage, which
proved to be a tiger cub. 1t was dead.
Superintendent COnklin was informed,
and he soon aScertained that the tigress
would probably die if not relieved imme-
diately. She was already weak, but at
tue least movement toward the dead cub
her strength would return. Her eyes
would glare furiously, and she would be-
gin to howl again in the manner that
started up the whole community of ami
mails. The male tigers anger increased
with the cries Of his mate. 1t would have
been death for any one to attempt to enter
the tIgress' cage, but after some trouble
she was bound securely. An operation
was then performed with considerable
difficulty. The litter included four fine,
we'll developed pups, two male and two
female, but all we're dead.
The mother is a goOd-sized tlgress. She
is years old, and has been the property
Of the Park department for about five
years. About year ago the tiger was
purchased through the influence of Mr..
Wales, who was then Park Commissioner.
Mr.. W ales said it was pity to see the
young tigress pace mOurnfully all day to
and 1rO in her cage, gazing tearfully at
the lion and IiOness in an opposite cage.
The two animals became warm friends
from the first and never quarreled.
u am sorry that these cubs have not
lived" said Mr.. Conklin. They are, /
believe, the first litter Of tiger pups that
have ever been born in this country, and |
have an ambition to raise a full litter of
American Royal Bengal tigers. Van Am
burgh had a litter once that died, but they
were crossed with a lion. L think our
ngress will recover, as she is quite healthy
and seems to be doing well now"