Orange County observer., 1898-01-06
WILD ANIMALSN CAGES,
SPIRITED ONES ARE SAFER TO TRAIN
THAN THE SNEAKY KIND.

Can Tell When Any One Fears Them. and
Take Advantage OF That Fact-som.
Animals Higher Caste Than OTHERS
Table Manners OF Two Elephants
Head Keeper Blackburne, of the
National Zoo, is probably as we'll &C.
quainted With animals as any man OF
his age in the world. He was what is
known as ''keeper of the cats with
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 the fact,
Recently in conversation with
Washington Star reporter he said that
IN order to handle animals properly,
as in everything else, the person must
III derstand them thoroughly. They
have much more sense and understand
ing. 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 it in mo-
ment. At the same time, he says,
nerve is not everything requisite in
going among wild beasts with i'm
punitv. Their moods and tempers
change just the same as do those of
persons, and treatment which will be
we'll received one day, will probably
invite On attack another.
If there is any familiarity to be in
dulged in between keeper and an
animal" said Mr.. Blackburne, cal
ways let it come from the man and
never from the beast. If he wants to
pet an animal, all we'll aud good, but
he must never let one of them have an
idea that it can presume to Jolly a
keeper. If this takes place control is
lost over the animal, as it Immediately
imagines it is as capable Of running
things as its keepers. The old adage
that familiarity breeds contempt is
never more truly exemplifed than be-
tween a keeper and an animal.
'There is grea; deal of difference
in the methods of training animals /
should much rather have to deal with
spirited animal which would most
likely make an attempt to attack, the
first time one entered its cage than
with one which would sneak around
and try to get out of the way. The
! former animal can be trained to do al
most anything, as it shows its superior
intelligence in making an effort to de-
fend itself A sneaky animal I have
found can never be subdued or trusted
! -. ..--y A.---~. o. 4l~A Ill Lave
every appearance of being mortally IL
! fear when its cage is entered and viii
strive to get away will spring in q mo
ment if ones back is turned.
There is difference in the caste o
animals even Dunk, the large ele
phant, is 4 much higher caste anima
than Gold Dust That can be told al
most from looking at the two animals
Dunk is tractable and docile. H,
seems to understand that it is mucl
not because he is afraid of punish
ment. On the other hand, Gold Dus
is apparently docile because he i
afraid that he will get the worst Of j
if he does anything wrong. The othe
has naturally no desire to overstep til
bounds. Gold Dustis more Of scruI
elephant, and he looks it, No matte
now mucn ne Is icu lie VIII uOl DcCOIl
heshy. There is almost the same dil
ference in their manner Of eating
when one watches it, as there IS be
tween that of highly refined societ.
woman and low-down tramp. Jus
watch them"
Hay was thrown to both the animals
Gold Dust hardly waited for 1t t
touch the floor in front Of him befor
he whipped, ont his trunk, grabbed u
bunch Of it unfortunately nm
showed il into his mouth as If he ha
been man taking a huge bite {
bread Dunk carefully spread out hi
hay, taking a wisp Of 1t at time
the choicest portions, until he ha
made roll about foot In length an
two or three inches thick. When
had been arranged to his taste he pr
it into his mouth and chewed 1t III
finishing it before beginning on som
more The other elephant had cate
MI Of his hay before Dunk had ha
finished his. 1t was simply displa
on large scale of the table manner
of Beau Brummel and hobo.