The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-11-19
HOW LIONS ARE TAMED.

HOW LIONS ARE TAMED.
According to Herr Hugenbeck, the
famous Snowman, the tanners Of Wild
beasts use no secret methods, and IN
tanning a lion they proceed very much
as c boy would with a dog
Ii lion is to be taught to- ride OBJ
horseback, it is necessary to be very
patient at frss, and take great deal
of time. If possible, it is best to be-
gin when he is young-less than
year old.
II he was born in captivity, he is
already accustomed to see persons out
side his cage. but not inside. All his
instincts are still fierce.
Wien tie tanner first opens the cage
door, and steps inside, the youngster
at:'onee displays fear. BE will proba-
ly>junp at the trainer, snarling saw
agely; for thst'is his way OF showing
alarm. The only course that can be
pursued is to beat him of With light
club. The first lesson be learns ls
ssthasitis not. safe for him to attack
uasl1. Sometimes in his excltemiant
andfear be will:make several attacks,
one after the other. The trainer
merely beats him Of, and in the end
Lthe lion ret1res, snarling to the tar
corner of vhe cage.
The trainer does not follow him,
but sits down quietly on box or q
chair, paying no particular attention
to him.
He sits there for an hour or two
hours at q stretch. This is done to
accustom the lion to the presence OF o
man in his cage, and to wear out his
natural fear and ferceness.
This tirst lesson IS repeated on the
following day, and is continued tos a
week, or perhaps for mouth.
Next the trainer Cakes a piece OF
meat into the cage, and. waiting IN
til the lion is hungry, offers it on the
cnu Of long stick. Very likely the
lion will not touch it at first, perhaps
not for many days; or, if he srlzes
it, his manner will not be sucn us so
in.l!cate thankfulness. Bat ~ pa
tirnce and persistence he will De IN
Il: led by-aud-by to come and take the
fo,L from the stick. and eventually
from the trainers hand.
Not infrequeutiy he will try to lite
tle hand that offers the meat; and
generally speaking. it is deemed s'g-
raI victory when young lion Will
voluntarily approach and take his
food from the keepers hand Soon
ofter this he will allow the trainer to
stroke his head. Toward stranger
he may exhibit qnite as much feroclty
as at first.
The next step is to put chain
round the lions neck and lead him
about the cage; AMI most trainers
consider it necessary to bind lion
down to the bottom of the cage once
or twice, in order to instill into his
naturally intractable mind the fact
that human bonds are irresistible, and
that chaius cannot be broken.
The various seats which go to MAX
up II modern performing lions educa-
tic are afterward taken up one by
one and taught gradually. The only
"secrets' that Herr Hagenbeck knows
art endless patience and oft-repeatea
lessons. Needless cruelty is always
avoided; nevertheless it is necessary
that lions, as we'll as tigers, leopards
and most other. wild beasts, should
hold their keepers in fear. :: Gentle
ness and kindness clone are hott suf-
acieut; these fierce animals mist be
made TO know. that their trainer is
absolutely MASTER
1t should be added that there is a.
most or quite as much difference 10
young lions as in boys. Some ar
much more doc;le and Intelligent thai
others. Some develop good and
trustworthy traies; others can neEcr,
:.e fully trusted. -Go!deu Days.