The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-06
LIVING CURI0SITIES
Where Showmen Obtain Their AMI
NAL Attractions.
A STRANGE PROFESSION
A Visit to the Warehouse OF Hagenbeck.
the German Dealer In Animals and
Birds, in Hamburg How Beasts are
Captured, Guarded and Trained.

HAMBURG. Jan. 4.-Few professions rival
and but tew could outrival that of
the proprietor OF the firm OF Hagenbeck.
Hamburg. They are most likely the
foremost existing importers OF animals.
being In connection with all the leading
museums, crcuses, aquariums and ZOO
logical gardens OF the Continent, large
number OF which depend entirely on Hag-
en- pbeck for their Nupply.
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.
Ny conductor was a little, muscular,
clean shaven man who had already spent
ten years in the service OF the firm, and
was therefore acquainted with all the
pecuiarities OF his profession.
The majority OF the keepers are excel
lent marksmen," he related. land ac-
quainted with an explorers life, being
sent out as assistants in the expeditions.
Ny last trip was TO South America. We
had great time with the ostriches, which
we chased on horseback, throwing the
bola "a ball attached to string) after
them But the heat was awful; am
sure the Lanos are the hottest place on
earth"
How often do they send out an ex-
peditlon?"
"Oh, about FIVE or six every year There
are three at work al present. One is ex-
pected home in a few days, and another Is
going out in a month or so. A number OF
our best hunters are collecting several
complete sets of furbearing animals In
Canada. There is a great difference be-
tween shooting an animal and catching
It alive, you know"
do the members OF the expeditions
consist OF permanent employees OF the
tirm" / inquired:
mo; they generally send out but
few Of our experienced men, few appren-
tices and volunteers, mostly amateur
sportsmen under the supervision OF one
Of the Office staff. On arriving at their
destination they hire as many natives as
are deemed necessary"
These expe ,'tions must be an enor-
nous expense" remarked.
Some Of them cost up 10 100000 marks;
they seldom go beyond that"
do many accidents happenY l asked
the little man.
"No, not many. Nevertheless the ma
jority Of US could show the marks OF their
paws and teeth" and, rolling up his shirt
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; Chiiian
alpaca zebras, antelopes, Sc.
Then we came to the elephants, and my
guide remarked
We 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 dozen OF their
African brothers with their schlapp ohren
Qong tiabby ears)"
Near by were some crocodles 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 mentionedP
by no means. Many things are simply
ordered. For instance. We get most oil
our dromedaries from the Crimea. while
large number OF other animals fall into
our hands by chance. We buy everything
In the line OF rare and outlandish animals,
and people who trade in or keep animals
for the pleasure are aware OF it. Ham
burg is all excellent place for good bar
gains, as nearly every vessel brings us
something rare and unlocked for Every
sailor comes armed with some specimen
from the tropics.
Parrots We only sell Wholesale" he
added, as their chatting fell on our cars.
Take care OF the kangaroo" my COM
panion warned. THAT beast could kill
you with a single stroke OF his foot"
When we came to the seals my talkative
guide related laughingly how once two
Ice bears broke loose, and, finding their
way TO the seals, made short work OF
them.
What are the most difficult animals to
procureP"
Undoubtedly the gorilla and the con-
dor, which hardly pay the trouble. We
only catch them TO boast that we have
everything on hand. But the greatest
bother we had with n whale, having to
build q special tank for him. Fish, any
how, are not my taste he continued,
making a sour face; IL were the pro-
prletor / would not bother with them."
and pointing TO somo glass tanks bound
in iron he exclaimed. Look. several OF
these tanks have TO be filed with fresh
sea water at regular intervals"
A graceful black ewan was swimming
solltarily In small fenced-in tub, and
Tyre bird near by was running against the
wire railing. Heis native Of the noun
tains OF New South Wales.
What is in those boxesY
Snakes" was tho reply. 1--WE can
measure them by the yard. There are
pythons, boa constructors, adders; what
ever you like. They are quite harmless
creatures, and quite easy TO keep. They
only require TO DO fed once in three
months, aud sleep away the rest OF the
time"
THE circuses are good customers OF
ours" resumed my guide. "We have
traded with salomonsiy. Rentz. Carre.
the Circus oliver. Foropaugh and
Barnum. A tanner OF wild animals Is
steadily engaged; he merely does the
preparatory. but IL seems 10 me the most
dangerous work. | believe he is now at a
lion rho hut a few woeks AGO haunfpl tba