Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-01
Htiseettameoas Reaaing.
CAPTURING WILD ANIMALS.
The Modern Methods Employed By
Dealers.


The Modern Methods Employed By
Dealers.
One of the most interesting visitors
in Washington at present Is Arthur
Spencer, for many years associated
with Hagenback in the capture and
training of wild animals. Mr.. Spencer,
although a graduate Of an English uni
versity, preferred life in the jungle to
less exciting pursuit, and probably
knows as much about the habits Of
wild animals as any man alive. In
speaking to a reporter the other day
about how beasts are captured for me-
nageries, he said:
ITO a person unacquainted with the
characteristics of wild animals, no ad-
equate idea can be formed of their
savagery and the consequent danger
attendant upon their capture. AS both
animal and vegetable life attain great
er growth in all tropical countries. so
it seems that the animals develop a
more savage and treacherous disposi-
ton, and the man who tackles the Afri-
can animal in his native lair does so
with the full understanding that every
moment of his life Is one fraught with
peril.
I'm getting ready for lion hunt 1t
Is necessary to provide a cage with a
top that can be thrown back by means
Of hinges, a rubber net 1S feet square,
arranged with a stout rubber band run
ming in a circular direction around 1t,
and with three rubber ropes, two OF
them 100 feet in length, attached to the
band in such manner, by means OF
steel springs, that the net can be
stretched out and pinned to the earth.
When the ropes are pulled on the
springs release the net, the band draws
it together like a pouch and anything
within its fold is rendered powerless.
The third rope is attached in such a
manner as to loosen the band and re-
move the net, without danger to the
handlers Of it. This, with a small por-
table bamboo cage to transfer the ami
mails when first captured to the larger
cage in waiting, comprises all the ne
cessary equipments for the capture OF
cat animals.
"As all cat animals, unless pressed
by hunger lie in the jungle by day and
come forth at night, going to the water
ing places and there await the coming
of the day animals. 1t Is only neces-
sary to find an elephant tank or water
ing place and there to prepare for the
capture Of game during the day. With
IN several hundred yards Of the tank
and directly in the beaten path OF the
animals a pit 1S feet square and feet
deep is dug In this Is placed the net,
which Is firmly pinned to the ground.
The pit is covered up with light bam-
boo brush, leaves, etc. The rubber
ropes are then carried 100 feet away,
and then another pit 6 feet square Is
dug, and in it a man Is placed IN sucn
a position that he can command view
of the animal pit. He is then covered
up, a small opening being left for his
arms and for him to see through.
when the lion or any other cat ami
NAL comes down the path, he unsus-
pectingly steps upon the brush, 1t gives
way, and as he touches the net the
operator pulls the ropes, the net flies
over him, and he Is ours. He Is then
placed in a portable cage. carried to
the other cage in waiting, placed In 1t
and the net removed by means OF
third rope. At first he looks relieved,
then disgusted. and the next minute he
is mad, but it is no use.
"This is all very we'll; but some day
when the wind betrays our presence ne
starts on a hunt Of his own, which as
a rule is not very agreeable, as at these
times it is necessary to kill him, and
in the combat that ensues, unless killed
by the first volley, some one Is sure
to get hurt.
For capturing elephants there are
several methods employed. For the
capture of male elephants stockade
25 feet square and feet deep Is built
surrounded by a strong palisade, 2O
feet in height, and whose only entrance
Is by means Of a door which swings in
ward, but never out, as it closes against
four feet Of solid earth. From the
edge of the stockade Is built tempo
rary bamboo hedge, leading to the near
est tank. and generally several hundred
yards in length.
"About two-thirds of the distance
from the pit is a narrow opening, just
large enough for a trained horse to go
through. When the man who Is to con-
duct the capture sees a herd or ele-
phants at the tank he approaches them
on horseback, and as there are always
one or more male elephants with hero
of females, as soon as they see him the
leader thinking he intends to molest the
females, starts in pursuit of him. The
man turns and rides rapidly down the
hedge, the elephant in pursuit. When
he reaches the opening he darts through
and keeps down the other side. The ell
ephant, a huge, ungainly brute, Is un-
able to stop, and seeing the object or
his pursuit ahead, passes the opening
and as he reaches the pit the man
passes the corner, the elephant strikes
the gate a heavy blow to knock 1t out
of his way. 1t swings inward: ne
rushes in, sees the trap. turns. only
to find the gate closed and himself
prisoner.
He is kept there three days without
food or water. Fires are built at night
and green, smoking brush thrown in,
which nearly stiles him. Natives are