The sun., 1899-04-23
TRAINING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
Catholic Fathers Train n Young Animal for
DrauGht Purposes.


African elephants were trained to work. IN
ancient times. just as their cousins in India are
now taught to carry burdens and draw loads.
In the menageries OF this country and Europe
the African elephant has proved no less docile
and teachabe than the Indian animal. Many
persons have asserted. however. without good
reason. that It is impossible to domesticate the
African elephant and make him valuable for
draught and porterage purposes in Africa.
where domes animals are scarce and the
elephant would be a great boon II he could be
made to labor.
The few experiments made in Africa to train
the elephant have generally failed. and on
account. doubtless OF improper training the
animal has bad reputation he does not de-
serve. In Uganda. however, an elephant was
thoroughly domesticated several years ago BY
the natives. who utilized his strength In their
daily toll. Other efforts in East Africa to train
the animal to work are now IN progress and
promise good results: and on the west coast
at the Catholic mission Of Ste. Anne at Fernan-
Vaz, the fathers have Just made a successful
effort to domesticate young male. and though
he has been In training only year he Is now
employed in the labors OF the mission.
The young animal was purchased soon after
he was caught from natives OF the Pahouin
tribe who live in the Gaboon region. near the
west coast. The fathers decided to do their
best to make the young fellow useful. At first
he was placed in close confinement. He showed
fear and repugnance at the sight Of negroes.
which seemed to prove that his captors had
maltreated him. In his prison he got his first
idea that the white men were his masters. for
he found that he was unable to destroy the walls
that hemmed him in. and after a month he
gave UP all attempts to escape. and day by day
grew calmer until at last he was quite docile
and contented In a few weeks he began to
hes e be- on
head. but invariably resented the familiarity
when any one TOUCHED his trunk,
pointed sticks with which to prod the Wild ami
but the fathers OF the African mission pre-
ierred a milder regime. They began by tying a
TS his n pe and sn S@ hR
he refused TO follow he was pushed gently but
firmly from behind Sometimes he was stub
around his neck Ifhe still resisted, the fathers
got grip on his Il! budding tusks: and This
any one Of the fathers was able to lead him as
he would horse.
As he was destined to see great many ne
groes all his life. II was desirable that he cult-
vate more friendly relations with them. ;, So
efforts were made TO, induce him TO folk
ance against them, however. was still sore
spot in his memory. and at trst he refused to
nave unSlnlUR 10 no WltH lneIil, IL WAS lOunGl
that he would permit negro children to lead
h m, and by degrees little childIen being re-
placed hy large ones and then all children by
adults he grew to like negroes OF all sizes and
ages. Then he would do for anybody all that
he had been trained To do.
After his days training il was often difficult
10 make him enter his prison yard aga in. but
when ripe bananas We're used as bait he was
enticed within the nclosuro without difficulty.
For two months the fathers drilled him IN
nothing except walking behind his leader
When this lesson was thoroughly learned they
"a n COLLAR OD tn " "a nj
Of wood Weighing seventy pounds was at
this weight along the ground. Having ad-
yanccd so far toward civilization, the young
fellow received the name OF Fritz The weight
he drew was gradually increased until he was
able to haul a large load.
To-day Fritz Is an accomplished and willing
drauGht animal. perfectly gentle, greatly at;
tached to those who treat him well. and one OF
the most useful attaches of the Fernan-Yaz
I Mission He is often employed also for riding
purposes The experiment Of the fathers has
been complete success. and probably no bet
ter method Of tanning and utilizing the African
elephant can be devised than that which they
| employed TO make Fritz useful animal