The age-herald., 1897-11-25
WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY.
Possess More Intelligence Than Is Generally Sup
 posed.
From the Washington Star.

From the washington star.
 Head Keeper Blacl1iburne, of the. Ma tional Zoo, is probably es well acquainted with animals as any man of his age in the world. He was what is known as keeper of the cats' with a circus and
 has had great experience with all kinds and varieties. He does not fear any of them, and they seem to be aware of tn fact.
 Recently in conversation with a Star reporter he said that in order to handle animals properly, as in everything else, the pe1son must understand them thor oughly. They have much more sense and understanding, he says, than they are generally given credit for. They can tell in an instant when any one is afraid of them and will take advantage of 1t in a moment. At the same time, he says, nerve is not everything requis- ite in going among wild beasts with ins- punity. Their moods and tempers change just the same as do those of per- sons, and treatment which will be well received one day, will probably invite an attack another
 "Tf there is any familiarity to be in- l dulged In Between keeper and an ani- | mal,'' said Mr. B,ackburne, always lei 1t | come from the man and never from the beast Df he wants to pet animal l, | all we'll and good but he must never Jet one of them have an idea sthat it can | -esume 10 jolly xes per. If this takes | place controh is lost over the animal, as l it immediately imagines it is as capable of running things as it's keepers. The old adage that familiarity breeds con- tempt. is nayer more truly exemplified than between keeper and an animal. ''There is a great deal of difference in the methods of training animals. should much rather have a deal with a spirited animal which would most likely make an attempt to attack, the first time one entered it's cage than with one which would sneak around and try to get out of the way. The former animal can be trained to do almost anything, as 1t shows its superior intelligence in making an effort to defend itself. A sneaky animal I have found can never be subdued or trusted at any time. One that will have every appearance of be- ing mortally in fear when it's cage is en- tered and will strive to get away will
 spring in moment If ones back is turned.
 'fThere is difference in the caste eff animals even. Dunk the large e1ephsnt is a much higher caste animal than Gold Dust That can be told almost frcm looking at the two animals. Dunk is tractahle and docile He seems to un-
 dersand that 1t Is much better for h'm to be so than otherwise, not because he is afraid of punishment. On the other hand Gold Dust is apparently docile be- cause he Is afraid that he will get the worst of it if he does any thing wrong. The other has naturally TO desire to
 overstep the bounds. Gol1 Dust Is more
 of a scrub elephant. and he looks 1t.
 No mattetr how much he is~fed he will
 not become fleshy. There is almost the
 same difference in their manner of eat
 ing, when one wa tches it there is be-
 tween that of ! ig ly refined ociety wo-
 man and a low-down tramp Just ws tch
 them."
 Hay was thrown to both the an'mals4
 God Dust hardly waited for it to touch
 the floor in front of him before he
 whipped cut his trunk. era lSbed up
 bunch of it ind scriminately rnd showed
 it into his mouth as If he had been a
 man taking huge bite of bread Dunk
 carefully spread out his hsv, talxi,g
 wisp of it at a time, the cho'cest DOT
 tions, until he had made a roll about
 foot In length and two or three inches
 thick. When if Lad been arranged to
 his taste he put It into his mouth and
 chewed if up. finishing It before begin
 ming on some more. The other elephant
 had eaten all of his hay before Dunk
 had half finished his. It was simply a
 display. on a. large scale of the fsble manners of Beau Brummel and a hobo.