New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-28
LIONS Proud or THEIR UUISHEES.
A TIGER DIED OF \ BROKEN HEART BECAUSE HE
HAD LOST THEM-sIEDD1NG AT THE

at Is all well enough" said Professor Darling
ITO oblige many young women who are anxious 10
have a lions whisker sort of talisman. but
do not propose TO render the five animals which
POSSESS positively useless"
Professor Daring stood in front Of his cage n,
Hagenbecks with his big bru;es huidle1 mp closely
to the iron bars waiting TO be caresse1 For some
time he has been pestered to death by personal APP
lica tons and by letters asking for Just one lions
whisker' until his mail has become a burden -
him. and. as he pulled the long briste-.ike ap-
pendages from the mouths OF his lions, h. SAID:
"Once lion loses his whiskers he is practically
ruined not only so far az his appearance goes. but
for his usefulness well. knew one lite in
stance OF this" added the professor 1T WIS in the
Imperial Geological Garden at Schonbrunn. in Ger
many. Carl Hagenbeck had purchased at the com
mand Of the Imperial Government one Of the hand
soonest tigers / ever in al my lie lie was
most beautifully marked and had long flowing
whskers. The beast very ferocious and had TO
be handled with the utmost care At Mr.. Hagen
beck's request. went with him to help put the
tiger In the permanent cage in the
The tiger travelled in a box with bars in front.
and when the destination WAS reached the box WIS
backed up against the perma men: cage and ih- door
opened 70 allow the tiger to enter. but bulge be
would not. We worked at him for hours and moth
ing would induce the animal 70 move out OF his
travelling cage. To make long story snort. Nc
pieces OF meat lying just outside Of his cage but
did no good We then triei that remedy which IS
often tried on wild beasts. although few people
know of 1t. the hose-pipe.' and drenched that
tiger but this did not have any more effect upon
him than the use Of an atomizer a woman's hair
Things getting in very desperate state.
for with the starvation and chill Mr.. Hagenbeck
feared that he would lose his tiger 50 he de-
termne1 to try that last resort--nre. 4 newspaper
was lighted and thrust into the cage. The tiger
turned with spring and grabbed the fire right in
his mouth and he did slnged off all OF hts
whiskers. The fire proved remedial and the animal
darted into the cage intended for him. and You
loss Of his whiskers lost all Of his pride The I'm
peria Government paid enormous price for him
but from the day that he los, his whskers he never
would face the crowd Of people who came TO see
him. but would hide his face In actual shame ard
finally died. Mr. Hagenbeck than whom there IS
no greater authority on such subjects declared that
he died of broken heart caused by the humi;,o
ton OF his pride.
"A lions or tigers whiskers when once taken
on never grow out again. These beasts shed
!ner mar once year ordinarily. all except
me WHISPERS Their shedding depends entirely
upon the climate. and there is n very necniiar
and that IS that / never knew a lion or a t,pnr
or any other animal OF the cat species TO go
sn me Red Sea without shedding have
seen ANIMALS shed at Suakim and come out win
hair as fresh and glossy as silk and vel e"in,
through the Red Sea they Will shed again No ono
T Th, account Tor IT, but it IS fact nevertheless
gave parting pat to his pet Leo. "why have beer
aaccuse1 or being ungallant In not giving whiskers
IiolH my pe's 10 ladies' for charms, but do NOT
humliatcd' " " p''uc