The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-09-26
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER &c, 1885,
THE ENORMOUS MALAY BlSONS.
A Terrible Battle of the Great Beasts In
the Sultans Kraal.

His Highness the Sultan of Pahang,
in the Malay Peninsula, can claim to
have introduced decidedly novel fea-
ture into Oriental sport since he has
just brought his great bison kraal
to a successful issue. The bison of the
Malay Peninsula, called s'ladang by
the Malays, corresponds almost exact
ly with the Indian gaur, but it has
never been decided by naturalists
whether it is the true Caucus gaurus
or not, as it is seldom shot or caught,
and the few trophies existing are i'm
perfect and do not afford conclusive
evidence. They are magnificent beasts
of great size, but shy in the extreme
and exceedingly fierce. They usually
90 about in herds of from half a dozen
to a score, sometimes singly, and oc-
casionally in couples, in the steep
densely wooded hills, and rarely issu-
ing from their seclusion except at
night.
The Sultan, who usually resides at
Pekan. the Capital of Pahang, re-
moved to Pulan Tawer in the end of
February, accompanied by about 1 ZOO
men, and Immediately set them to
work to build a strong fence along
the edge of the river, so as to inclose
the entire promontOry, except that
part in connection with the mainland,
which was to be left undisturbed until
the herd were found to have entered of
their own accord, which they were ex-
pected to do about the end of April.
However, thSe was CONSERVATION and
confusion in the camp when at day
break it was discovered that a large
herd of bisons had found their way on
to the promontory during the night
and still remained there. Only about
mile of the barricade had been COM
pleted, and there remained another
mile to be done before the beasts could
by surrounded.
The whole force of men, which had
been steadily increasing in numbers,
and amounted to over 1900 were i'm
mediately put on TO complete the fence,
which they succeeded in doing by
nightfall, to the surprise of every one,
including themselves. The bison
were now safe inside. In one corner
of the kraal. some fifty yards from the
river, and well above it, smaller in
closure about twenty yards square was
constructed, and into this, after con-
siderable difficulty. the entire herd,
numbering twenty four head, was
driven.
Terrified by the noise of the heaters,
wild with fear, the great creatures APP
peared almost mad, and rushed about
attacking each other with indescriba-
bic fury. They continued to charge
and fight like demons, amid the yells
and cheers of the excited crowd, until
at nightfall ten of the noble beasts Law
dead or dying. Two more succumbed
during the night, and it was pitiable
sight next morning to see the twelve
survivors all jaded and gory-utterly
exhausted, but still vicious and game"
Four of the slain-two bulls and two
cows-measured eighteen hands and
over in height at the dorsal ridge. One
huge bull, the largest of all, who is
still living. must measure eighteen
hands three inches. Large covered
bamboo RATS were constructed. and
some of the bisons have been driven
on board these and sent down TO Pc
kan. distance of $50 miles; the 9TH
ers will follow in due course. At the
time of writing large cow and two
smaller ones are at Pekan. The large
COW, which was presented to the Resi-
dent, has been generously offered to
the Singapore Museum, and is now
being skinned and prepared prior to
being set up there. Another has been
presented to the Governor, and is now
on its way to Singapore alive. The
largest COW measures eighteen hands
one inch at the dorsal ridge and six
teen hands three inches in height at
the shoulders. 1t is to be hoped that
the bison Will now be identified, so as
to definitely settle the vexed question
as to whether the Malay bison and In
dian gaur are the same species. Two
tigers were caught in the kraal, but
both made their escape. Several deer
and pigs, however. were successfully
captured. 1t was intended to send
one or two of the live bisons to En-
gland. if possible, as one has never
teen seen there. However, there is
but little chance of either living in
captivity or standing the voyage.
This is believed to be the first large
bison kraal on record. London Field.