The Portland daily press., 1897-08-14
BIRTH OF BABY LIONS.
Nm Interesting Event at the Zoo at RIVER
ton Last Evening.

Last night between eight and nine
o'clock, at the Zoo in Riverton park. the
lioness Sultana gave birth to three baby
lions. Sultana is one of BroncGo
Dcccacio's group of performing lions and
lionesses, and is of most agreeable
disposition and very fond of her trainer,
and on previous occasions when he has
cen attacked by other inmates of the den
has pluckily defended him. Last night
| ust after the first performance, Mr..
johnson, the superintendent of the Zoo,
noticed commotion in Boccacio's den OF
lions, and on going to investigate, found
Sultana was mother-three baby lions
were born. 1t was necessary Tor the safety
of the little ones to remove her and her
babies, and in doing this one got stepped
on by Wallace, who never knew he trod up
on it. This enraged Sultana, and with
flashing eyes and tail on end she bounced
about the cage with one of her cubs in
her mouth, and in her excitement killed
it. j. W. Bostock, the proprietor OF the
Zoo, ran quickly to the cage, and With O
scraper succeeded in removing the third
baby, which is a magnificent male
specimen, and most beautifully marked.
The angry mother killed and ate up the
baby lion she was carrying in her mouth
before she could be prevented or comfort
able quarters made up for her. The dead
one will be sent to taxidermist, and the
little baby lion who has managed to sur
viye the trouble of the day, has been re-
moved to Mr.. Bostock palace car, where
he is now being brought up with spoon
food, it being unsafe to place him with
his mother at present in her angry mood.
He will be exhibited and passed round
amongst the audience today both at the
afternoon and evening exhibitions on {
velvet cushion, and visitors to the Zoe
will be able to say that in addition to the
many other attractions they have stroke
and fondled baby cub lion.
Sultana is magnificent specimen of al
African forest born lioness, about nine
years of age and this makes her third
litter of cubs. She is usually splendid
mother, and as baby lions have a com
mercial value of $3.50 each when born, the
loss OF n6r TWO cuDS 10 AUoi III d IHOLStdIy
part of view is considerable aside from
the fact Of the great attraction they are to
visitors and students of natural history.
Wallace the savage untameable lion, is
the father Of the little baby lion, who
is now most splendidly marked and re-
sembles his handsome father, and will nc
doubt some day become as popular in the
geological world as his father Wallace
The little stranger will be named River
ton, in honor of the park. and being the
first baby lion ever born there. The babJ
lion. Chiquita, the living doll, and Tess
the prize ohimpanzee, will be exhibited
and INTRODUCED to the public and visitors
to the Zoo today, both at the Afternoon
and evening performances. The Littl'
Riyerton baby lion is one Of the cutes
little lions ever seen and will hold a pres
reception at II a. M, and be on view T.
the public at 2.3O .. m. Portlandites will
do well to visit the Zoo today and take ii
its remarkable sights and curiosities o
wild and savage animals. 1t is one of tn
best geological amusement entertain
nenGs that ever visited our city, and de
serves the patronage and support OF all