The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-23
A WILD BEAST DEPOT
Where Barnum and Forepaugh
Get Their Menageries.
HARD TO CAPTURE ooRILLAs.
An Elk School Teacher Says Animals Are
Easier to Train Than Children
The Hamburg Emporium.

of the proprietor of the firm of Hagenbeck,
Hamburg. They are most likely the fore
most existing importers of animals, being
in connection with all the leading mu-
seums, circuses, aquariums and geological
gardens of the continent, large number
of which depend entirely on Hagenbeck
for their supply. The firm has its head
quarters in St. Pauls, that ill-reputed sub
urb of the old Hans town, where sailors OF
all nations congregate. From outside the
building looks like plain storehouse. but
in the 500x600 yards it occupies animals
from all zones and countries are crowded
together. The bold, soaring condor from
the highest mountain peaks Of the Andes
is represented, as well as the strong,
ferocious gorilla from the primevai woods
in Africa.
Ordinarily only purchasers, known or
introduced to the firm, are allowed to visit
the grounds, but limited number of cards
of admission are issued every month. On
entering one passes the office room where
more than two dozen clerks are employed,
of whom several are merely occupied in
keeping account of the arrival and de-
parture of animals, as these only stay
there few days before leaving for their
final place of destination. Showing my
card of admission [ was introduced TO one
of the keepers. They seem to be set OF
energetic men, who, armed with bowie
knives and revolvers, are willing to dare
any danger.
Nv conductor was a little, muscular,
clean-shayen man who had already spent
ten years in the service of the firm and
was therefore acquainted with all the Pc
culiarities of his profession.
1.-THE majority of the keepers are excel
lent marksmen," he related, land ac-
quanted with an explorers life. being sent
out as assistants in the expeditions. My
last trip was TO South America. We had
a great time with the ostriches, which,
like the natives. we chased on horseback,
throwing the bola Ga ball attached to a
string) after them. But the heat was
awful; 1 am sure the Hanos are the hot
test place on earth"
How often do they send out an expedi-
ton ?"
"Oh, about five or six every year. There
are three at work at present, one is ex-
pected home in few days and another
going out in month or SO. A number of
our best hunters are collecting several
complete sets of fur-bearing animals in
Canada. There is a great difference be-
tween simply shooting an animal and
catching it alive, you know"
''Do the members of the expeditions
consist of permanent employees of the
firmP" inquired.
mo, they generally send out but few
of our experienced men, a few apprentices
and volunteers, mostly amateur sports
men, under the supervision of one of the
Office staff. On arriving at their destina-
ton. they hire as many natives as are
deemed necessary" My conductor gave
me all this information with a good-hu-
mored grin.
'These expeditions must be an enormous
expense" / remarked.
"Some of them cost up to 100000
marks; they seldom go beyond that"
So we walked through the long rows of
cages, which varied from tiny wooden
ones, ranged one above the other. for birds
and other small animals. TO huge cages
formed of one inch thick iron bars, most
Of them running on wheels. All bore lit
tie tablets with the name of the animal
marked in Latin.
1t was a strange sight to see all those
wild animals, accustomed to unlimited
freedom, confined in space in which
they could hardly turn around Their
long Imprisonment seemed 10 have broken
them of many of their savage habits.
do many accidents happen Z" asked
the little man.
mo, not many. Nevertheless the ma
| jority Of US could show the marks of their
paws and teeth" and, rolling up his shirt
sleeve, he displayed deep scar on his arm.
"A Tasmanian wolf did that. and look.
| here jaguar got firm clutch on me-"
The tanner animals were merely fenced
in. We passed a group of japanese
| chamois, which are very rare; Chilean
| alpacas, zebras, antelopes, etc.
| Then we came to the elephants and my
! guide remarked:
| I'VE are out of Asiatic elephants at
! present, as they are difficult to get since
| the government passed the bill for their
| protection. But here is q dozen of their
! Africen brothers with their schlapp 0hren,
/ Qong iabby earsl.'
Near by were some crocodiles from the
| upper Nile and the Amazon. One OF them
was giant fellow over thirty feet long.
! DO you secure all your ANIMALS by the
/ special expeditions you mentioned ~
by no means. Many things are Simply
| ordered: tor instance, We get most of our
| dromedaries from the Crimea. while a
| large number of other animals rail- into
| our hands by chance. We buy everything
in the line OF rare and outlandish animals
! and people no trade or keep animals for
! pleasure are aware Of il. Hamburg is an
| excellent place for good bargains. as
nearly every vessel brings us something
/ rare and unlocked for. Every sailor comes
! armed with some specimen from the trop-
! les. Parrots We only sell wholesale" he
added, as their chatting fell on our ears.
| lake care of the kangaroo" nv COM
| panlon warned. that beast could Kill
! you with a single stroke Of his foot"
! When we came 10 the seals nv laxative
| guide related laughingly how once two ice
j bears broke loose and. finding their way
! TO the seals, made short work of them.
! (which are the most difficult animals
to procure? ?"
Undoubtedly the gorilla and the con-
! dor which hardly paw the trouble. We
| only catch them 10 boast that We have
| everything on hand. But the greatest
| bother We had with q whale, having 10
J build special tank for him. Fish. any
/ how. are not my taste" he continued.
| making a sour face IF were the pro-
| prietor / would not bother with them, -
| and pointing to some glass tanks bound in
| iron, he exclaimed; Look. several of
/ them have 10 be I!lled with fresh sea wa
| ter AZ regular intervals"
| 4 graceful black swan was swimming
| solltarliy in a small, fenced-in tub, and a
| Tyre bird near by was running against the
| wire railing. He is native Of the noun
| talns of New South Wales.
What is in those boxes?"
Snakes was the reply. I'VE can
measure them by the yard. There are
| pythons, boa constructors, adders: what
ever you like. They are quite harmless
creatures, and quite easy - keep. They
only require 10 be fed once in three