The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-09
CARE OF WILD ANIMALS
WELFARE IN CAPTIVITY LOOKED
AFTER WITH s0LICITUDE.
Methods Employed i'm "ZoOs" and
shows-Beasts Are Well Fed and
Have Medical Attention.

New York Mail and Express.
The daily programme for the cat family,
which includes the lions, leopards, tigers
and panthers, starts at o'clock in the
morning with an "eye-opener' of a sort
more sensible than the term usually i'm
plies, for each Of the captive animals The
night watchmen wake the keepers promptly
at $50 o'clock, and half an hour later
the big milk cans are opened for the dis
tribution of the "eye-openers."
This is a careful task, for il includes
first the gentle prodding of the animal to
wake him if he happens to be asleep.
and then the def slipping under the bars
Of the cage of a generous steel saucepan
containing about pint OF milk and water
in equal parts. The animal is supplied
with several pansful, but small quantities
are given to avoid waste by splitting. The
animals state of health is often deter
mined by his mornings appetite, because
wild animal rarely touches anything in
the way of food If he is sick.
After the distribution of milk and water
the keepers are permitted to break their
own fast. AT o'clock the cleaning of
the cages begins, each cage being carefully
cleansed with long handled scrapers and
brooms Animals new in captivity usually
object vigorously to this part of the days
programme, and with bites and snarls at
tack the implements. They soon, however
become accustomed to the work, and often
make 1T play time. striking at the brushes
much as a kitten pursues a string.
The cages are then disinfected and the
animals in turn are taken to the large steel
barred arena for an hours romp. Each
animal gets a morning turn in the arena
about three times a week. Great care has
to be exercised to place in the arena at the
same time only such animals as are friendly
ana only animals OF one kind. Lions par
tlcularly are prone to animosities and de-
sire to night for the clean title of champion
or the show. The friendly ones, however,
gambol and jump about, rolling around in
play ike the great kittens they are.
PUT THROUGH THEIR PAGES.
AFTER play time they are taken back to
their cages through a narrow passageway
and the trained animals or those in the
process OF liberal arena education are
put through their PAGES by the trainers ex-
actly as in the public performances.
| The other. animals allowed to rest
until show time in the afternoon, the
monotony being broken shortly after u
o'clock by liberal luncheon Of raw meat
Eight to twelve pounds of raw beef usually.
| with large bone, are passed into the cage
OF each large lion or tiger, and proper
Tomato amount for the smaller animals
The amount given varies with the condi-
TONS such as the health of the animal and
IN, me nature or work in the exhibition, but
| the daily average is from twelve to twenty
| pounds. When but two exhibitions a day
are being given luncheon is at 4:30 o'clock
In the afternoon and dinner at 1880 o'clock
In the evening after each performance
After every meal the bones are removed
Tor the sake of cleanliness and to avoid
| quarrels, for these are often found to be in
! truth bones of contention" and many Sc
! rlous fights would otherwise ensue
The diet is varied several times a week
with hot tea, coffee. of which most of the
animals are particularly fond, and beef tea
| These are all administered in the steel
saucepans. which twice a week. for clean
| lnesS, are burned out in charcoal fire.
FOND OF COD LIVER OIL
The members of the hospital band. as the
ailing animals are called, are the objects
of particular care and attention. Plenty
| of straw, frequently changed, is given them
in the cages. Cod liver oil is administered
at, first in small doses secreted in meat,
and afterward, as the animals develop a
taste for it, in quantities of a tablespoonful
with milk and water three times a day.
for colds and pneumonia. Strangely
enough, most of the animals grow so fond
OF the dose that they will purr while lap
ping 1T from the PAN Chopped meat about
| the OF hamburger steak, and
| plenty of beef juice, form the diet for sick
animals who can be induced to eat.
The Keepers are constantly with the
beasts beasts from a. m. to to 1i;sO p m; when
1t is for dinner-is served, and the watch
men go on duty for the night.
MONKEYS ;ys.s and the smaller animals have
eat anything from peanuts to pickles. Be-
cause of the quantities of sweetmeats fed
to them by visitors, medical attention is
| frQnnlnt1v iuar nj 90
oils being the stock cure-alls.
! Prize apes and chimpanZees enjoy domes-
ITCHY to large degree, those Of the Mr..
| Esau sort OF the Bostock exhibition affect
| ing knives and forks, chairs, tables and the
wearing of evening dress when on exhibit
| ton.
LOVE AFFAIRS OF LIONS.
The love affairs of the animals. their
wooings and their winnings Of the object of
their hearts desire are the most amusing
points of the animals home life. A splendid
lion meeting in the training cage a lioness
that strikes his eye, will act just as foolish
ly as the summer girl and the summer boy
Soft, ardent glances, purrings and foolish
looks that seem almost smiles invariably
| form the initial advances.
III Bark1s In the person of Miss Lion, is
"wilin, and his conquest is assured his
| Wnole manner changes. He ceases to be
the cooling lover and becomes the shaggy
named master. monarch of his mate and all
| he surveys; If affairs are propitious, Mr..
| and Mrs. Lion by decree are given their
own habitation and start up housekeeping
| in peaceful fashion in the cage accorded
| them.
Mother love. which lasts only as long
as the little ones cubs or kittens is
| the only really appealing thing about the
animal life in captivity. There is no pity,
| no sympathy, in all the cat tribe.
All in all, the animals, while scarcely con-
| tent-for how could deprivation of freedom
| bring contentment-are a patient lot and
the longer the captivity the more manage
! able they usually become. The elephants.
| because of their superior intelligence and
usefulness. have more liberty than any
! of the other animals. In the moving of
| heavy cages or other rough work one ele-
| plant is worth a score of horses. He uses
his head, pushing objects of great size and
| weight with ease. Each elephant has an oil
| bath three times each year. and only part
of him is oiled at a time. Neatsfoot oil is
! applied with large brush to keep his
| usually dirty coat soft and healthy.
Constant changes in the plan Of the home
| life of the animals are being made as the