New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-13
TIE LOVES OF A CENTRAL PARK LIONEss
aIrrpY AND SICK AND NOT TEMPTED BY OYSTERS

SLEEPY AND SICK AND MI d VI SiA-'o
MR. CONKLIN's HOPES.
The Park authorities are greatly concerned over
the emotion of a lioness In the collection at tne
Arsenal A canvas curtain has been suspended
over her cage for several days 10 sue nei os io r
the ewes of the pu' lie. The commissioners visit her
or INQUIRE of her condition regularly on gong to the
Arsenal and have directed superintendent Conklin
to prepare daily bulletin OF the state OF her health
The beast has been the property OF me menagerle
for some time and is slightly past tue prime OF
a honess's life. For several years she was mated
with Boaz the ancient lion of the menagerie, VINO
Is as old as the collection But Boaz became erratlc
and abusive his years increased upon MN ana III
was necessary to part t6em de is now connneu IN
q separate cage opposite the noness, "nerc nc
sleens most of his time. Two years ago when the
park secured handsome young lion he was mated
to the oness and there at once arose the strongest
friendship between the beasts. Boaz opposite was
nj first extremely angry and roared at them inces-
sanity bat the eXeItion soon became 100 inuch Ior
his strength. his voice grew hoarse, ana AT last nc
became accustomed TO the sight Inc noness
evinced "a maternal tenderness for the young non
and they got on together IN the most aMicaOle
manner until few months ago when the lioness
became duh and stupid and slept most OF the time.
An unusual movement OF the hon would AWAKEN
her. Sire would follow his actions with suspicion
ana at times cast herself mo laiy wi1oa t o.
but in the midst of her anger she would often fall
on the floor asleep and lie for several hours SUM
bering peacefully. The superintendent, who has
kent a careful watch of the animal. had cOngratu-
lated himself that the Park would soon have rew
attraction IN a hitter of young lions lie concluded
to separate them and he placed the lion III an ad-
1ODlnE cage WIN u UcW yOuHeci
The lion seemed well pleased with the change and
the older loness at first appeared unc0ncerned
about it, S1e frightened and became playful for a
time but coming to a sudden realization recently
that she mad rival i'll the adjoining cage, her
spirits have since declined. She noped about her
cape and became SO i'll that medical attendance was
required For several days she would eat nothing
thcn her appetite would return temporarily and
she would show great voraclty Most OF the time,
however she was tempted with many delicacles
with little success aud the canvas curtain was
hung over her cage to prevent her from being dis
turpcd by visitors. If her appetite returned for a
few moments the cries of the lion and lloness IN
the next cage would at once drive i away. 1t was
found that she had great liking for oysters and
when nothing else would tempt her to eat oysters
would A dOzec or placed upon shovel and
thrust by the keeper under her nose would soon dis
appear Within a few days. however. even oysters
A. have failed to attract her She las become quite
thin and yesterday her condition was regarded
critical The superintendent thinks that II she can
pass safely the dangerous period OF birth ana her
litter is safely delivered she will be restored to
complete health and checriulness. Her old adj
mrer. Boaz, has watched sardonically from his re-
treat the later manifestations and when he sees
that she is most uneasy he will rouse himself and
approaching near as his cage will permit below
OF her The young lion and the lioness are living
contentedy in the next cage undisturbed by the
condition OF the elder oness.