The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-06-12
WILD ANIMAL FARM.
The Novel Project of the Ringing
Brothers, Circus Men
An Immense Inciosure In Southern Cali
fornia Where Lions, Panthers, Ele-
plants, Etc, VIII lie Raised
n Large Scale.

n mover Scntmt Tor raising anu per-
Petuating rare varieties of wild ami
mails is the latest geological idea of
Ringing Bros.
special agent of the company is
now negotiating for a tract of land at
Long Beach, near San Pedro bay, south
ern California, for the purpose, while
Messrs. DIR. Rupert Hoffman and Oscar
Newman, who recently started on a
tour around the world to secure wild
beasts for the menagerie and geological
exhibits, will make special efforts to
collect some very perfect and healthy
specimens of forest-reared animals for
breeding purposes. 1t is proposed to
secure four or five square miles of the
most thickly-wooded land in the Vi
cinity mentioned. The land desired j.
to embrace swamp, timber and rocky
sections and will be inclosed by solid
Prick wall.
This wall will be two feet in height
md Will rest upon firm foundation
Of stone masonry, implanted several
feet in the earth. From the top of the
prick wall up to a distance of about L.
ieet a fence will be erected of half-inc;I
pieces of iron, six inches apart In the
main the land will be left in its natural
state, but caves made as nearly as pos
sible to initiate nature will be dug and
formed of rocks, and it is expected
that the animals will make their homes
liz these. The idea of Ringlng Bros.
is TO turn the animals into this in
closure and let them follow their nat
ural inclinationS and habits as much
as possible. AS the animals to be prop
agated are principally of the carniv-
crous kind, such animals they nat
urally prey upon Will be supplied as
food. If, of course, al any time the num-
ber of antelope and other hcrbivorous
animals which are to furnish food fol
the lions, tigers, hyenas, leopards, pan
theirs and other carnivora is depleted.
domestic animals, such as sheep and
goats, will be placed within the in
closure, to be hunted by the denizens of
this peculiar jungle.
\ considerable portion of this ex-
tensive establishment will be separated
from the rest by secure partitions for
raising the delicate giraffe. camels.
zebras, quaggas and other herbivorous
families of the animal kingdom. In
order that fresh water may be always
on hand, pipes will be laid under
ground, ending in fountains in the in
closure. and fed from spring water
pumped in from the outside. 1t is pro-
posed to lay a concrete walk Just out
side and extending around the entire
wall, and a watchman, perhaps on a
bicycle, Will make a tour of inspection
OF the entire inclosure twice each day.
The idea, if a success, will probably re-
suit in preserving certain animals, such
as the giraffe. from becoming entirely
extinct
Elephants Will also be raised within
the inclosure. On account of their
great strength il was at first thought
that an elephant inclosure would be
impracticable, but a scheme has been
devised which il is believed will pre-
vent them from breaking down the
walls Forty feet. within the outsid,
wall will be erected second fence com
posed and built of logs driven into the
ground by means of a pile driver
These timbers will be about three feet
apart and will he cross-braced by row
of timbers bolted on the upright logs
toward the outside and braced witi
timbers extending from the cross
braces to the ground. This will make
very strong shield against which the
assaults of a large and vicious elephant
Will have no effect.
The cost of such an inclosure will not
be so great as one would At first think
as the material used is very plentiful
in that section of southern California
selected for this purpose. The elephant
Enclosure is located so far from the
outer wall in order that no tiger, lion or
other animal of the cat family could
leap from il to the top of the iron graf
ing and thus gain access to the out
side world. Certain grasses and herbs
Indigenous to the countries from which
the animals are to be brought will be
planted in order that the animals ma
have as nearly as possible their native
foods.
One of the most interesting features
of the jungle will be the monkey farm.
For this purpose several acres will be
used. \ wooden frame will be erected
extending above the height of the trees
and completely surrounding the farm.
This framework will be covered with n
network of wire, 50 that the monkeys
trees end feed on the fruits and nuts,
hut will be unable TO escape.
The idea in it's entirety embraces the
scheme of propagating the animals by
giving them the natural advantages of
Jungle. leaving them to follow their
natural habits, but keeping them with
in the inclosure, so that they can b.
trapped when wanted for exhibition
purposes.-Chicago News.