The Somerset reporter., 1902-05-22
An Incident at the Zoo.
Forrest and Stream.

The peculiar charm Of the National
Zoo 10 Washington comes from the close
approa h to nature that is possible there.
From the footpaths that wind through
this picturesque park glimpses may be
had OF deer and other depizens of the
forest, and so unobtrusive are the wire
fences that 1t Is easy to imagine the ami
mails as In their natural habitat. The
natural conditions especially favor this,
and wise administration has not neg
lected the opportunity. Not often, how
ever, does this realistic treatment be-
come so spectacular as on an afternoon
recently, when two large gray wolves
could be seen coursing up and down the
wooded slope unrestrained by any bar
riers erected by man. lt was past the
hour when many of the keepers left for
The day, and the two wolves CHANGING to
break open an insecure door, enjoyed
several minutes of freedom before any
IT the employees could be summoned to
The spot.
Freedom to an animal reared In captiv-
ity is a condition in which he has no
precedent for guidance. Thus, the first
shock OF the change of scene over, these
wolves seemed most intent upon securing
admission to some of the yards occupied
by other wolves or foxes, and the result
ing uproar can be imagined. Then Curl
osty appeared to guide them, and to-
gether they Investigated a neighboring
pen where two peccaries were enjoying
their ease. Some inherited traits now
cropped out and the wolves seemed TO
enjoy making the pecoaries run at full
speed around their Enclosure. the wolves
keeping close to the separating bars.
The scene had now become such as TO
attract the attention OF both visitors and
employees. The latter turned out In
force, having armed themselves with
ropes. Nurses with small children
sought the protection of the monkey
house, but most of the visitors remained
outside to watch the chase.
One of the keepers appeared to be on
fairly good terms with the estrays. and
could at times almost induce them to
follow him, but the excitement incident
10 the change OF environment was too
much for the wolves, and together they
continued to run back and forth. It was
evident, however, that confinement with
in narrow limits had wholly untitled
them for such liberty of action as was
really possible here, and 80 they would
turn and run in circles when they might
have just as well taken a straight course
for the wilder parts of the park. They
plainly felt more at home when in close
proximity to wire netting, even though
on the outside of an Enclosure. Such Wis
its to the various pens and yards had the
effect of terrifying the other animals
and to the visitors standing upon the
brow of the hill and looking down into
the Rock Creek Valley, the scene was
most realistic and interesting. AT one
time, band of llamas could be seen in
full flight across their yard, finally stand
ing huddled together In group while
their innocent enemies ran past. The
activity of the keepers was more wisely
directed than that of the wolves, and
finally an end came to the hslf-hour of
freedom. The tired animals were cor
nered on the bank OF Rock Creek
nooses thrown over their heads, and they
we're ignominiously carried back to the
environment with which after all they
are more In accord. G. o. S.