The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-07
ELEPHANT CATCHING.
WHOLE HERDS CORRALLED AT
ONCE IN CEYLON.
Tactics of Native Huntcrs-What an
Elephant Can BE Bought for in His
Native Jungle-Hunts Which Last
TNYO Months

Native Jungle-Hunts Which Last
Two Months.
Calcutta Correspondence Baltimore Sun.
In the interior of Ceylon l had rather a
novel experience, that of witnessing an
elephant kraal
Several weeks previously two herds of
elephants had been surrounded by some
$500 natice coolies under the orders of
their Observation-Disclosures preparatory to the
kraaling. The plot of wilderness and
jungle surrounded by the coolies extended
over an area of 5000 acres.
Every night, by firing blank ammuni-
ton. kindling fires, beating tomtoms and
loud shouting, the elephants were driven
several hundred yards nearer to an inn
provised stockade. This was repeated
nightly until the elephants were half a
mile or Tess from the mouth of the stock
ade. This chase sometimes requires more
than two months
At the StOcIxade.
The circle of coolies then opens and in
closes within its ranks the entire stock
AIDE. This stockade was built of stout
tree trunks deeply and firmly imbedded
in the ground at a distance of two feet
apart. These tree posts projected some
fourteen feet above the earth and were
reinforced by three parallel lines of hori-
zontal cross pieces, securely tied to the
post with wild vines and creepers. The
whole was further strengthened by a
RES of slanting braces firmly fixed in the
ground and having horizontal cross pieces
also bound to them. The stockade or
"kraal was about 500 feet square, and
built in a jungle, with its entrance dis
guised to appear as the thickets part Of
the Jungle. The entrance for the game
was from fifty to seVenty-fve feet wide,
and at the north side of the stockade.
Beyond the stockade, on the south, OPP
posite it's entrance, was 'Kraal Town,
which consisted of several dozens of ma
tive shops and a number of bungalows,
Luilt of palm leaves and lined inside with
white cloth all temporary for the oc-
casion The bunga lows were gayy deco
rated with bunting and flags. A kind OF
grand stand had been erected just outside
the stockade, on the south side next to
"Kraal Town"
Here They Come.
About a. m. we fastened to the grand
stand. The drive in had already commence
ed. the shouts of the beaters and the fir
ms, of their guns resounding on all sides
The heaters came nearer and nearer, the
cracking trees, vines and jungle growth
becoming terrific as the rushing elephants
approached nearer 10 the stockade. The
excitement and interest were intense. Re
pentedly some of the elephants made de-
iermined attempts to break through the
lines of coolies, but were met with volleys
from the guns and loud cheers from the
beaters who rushed toward the huge
beasts and by their courage and bold front
awed and turned them once more toward
the stockade.
Finally the largest and most ferocious
b,ad
made a mad rush for the patch OF dense
green Jungle ahead, which disguised the
entrance TO the stockade There followed a
tremendous crash and cracking of break
ing branches, vines and jungle growth.
seemingly right about our Stand.
Mad Beasts.
The gigantic leader Of the herd rushed
toward the grand stand, followed rapidly
by the whole herd in single file. The cool
les swarmed around the outside of the
stockade beneath the grand stand, and
with volleys from their guns and with
snears and loud shouting turned the course
OF the elephants and prevented their
breaking down or attacking any portion
of the stockade. They frequently had to
use their spears TO drive the infuriated
animals away. The elephants continued TO
circle about, one tiny one trotting around
after its mother in an amusing manner.
At last they huddled together in the
thickest of the remaining Jungle.
Immediately after the last elephant had
passed through the gate into the stockade
the coolies rapidly lighted fires, shot vol
leys of blank ammunition and quickly
planted ports and supports bound to-
gether, thus effectua1ly closing the gate
way.
After a short interval the noosng be-
gan, it being best done shortly after the
first mad rushing and before the animals
get over their fright, or have trodden down
all the jungle in the stockade.
TIalf a dozen tame elephants entered the
stockade, two natives riding upon each,
and a dozen natives following on foot arm
ed with spears for self-defense.
DecOys.
The tame elephants had rope collars ana
a rope surcingle, with loops for the riders
TO hold on by. A tarred rope with a run
ming moose was attached to the rope co.,
lar, the herd was kept moving about, and
as opportunity offered the natives ON foot.
from between the legs of the tame ele-
phants. slipped the nooses around the hind