The Washington times., 1906-02-05
Sent by Ras Makonnen
FromAbyssinia-Baby
Lion Also Here.

The cold wave that reached this city
on the Slst of last month brought with
Il two new residents for the ZooiOgical
Gardens from the heart Of the torrid
zone. The arrivals We're a baby lion
and a zebra, both presents from the
governor OF Abyssinia. Ras Makonnen.
There was more than mere desire TO
have a perfect specimen OF the animal
back Of the securing Of the zebra He
was brought TO America at the request
OF the Agricultural Department. which
will use him 10 make experiments in the
cross breeding Of animals. The officials
OF the Bureau of Animal Industry have
decided to breed the zebra to a mare
in an effort TO secure an animal which
Will have some of the qualities of the
horse and the hide and constitution OF
the zebra. Should the experiment be
a success the department officials be-
lieve that a new era in animal culture
viii follow.
Lion a Surprise.
The scrawny little brute that was IN
mistakably a lion came as a surprise to
the department. He was not scheduled
on the list that was sent but when he
arrived in New York the authorities
there refused permission to turn him
Loose in the streets, so he was given
home at the local gardens. He now
occupies the cage that was for so many
years the home OF the big Bengal tiger
When ne arrived. tbs stranger IN a
strange land, was scarcely able to pIace
his feet TO the ground, but he had suf-
hciently recovered yesterday to begin
ms ms steady tramp around the walls OF
the cage.
When the animals left their native
Abysslnla there were three in the parry
nut before the ship had cleared -be
died. Oi"s
Win Be Disease Proof.
The zebroid, which Will be the name
by which the expected product will be
known. is said TO be immune to those
diseases which are the scourge of the
horse and the mule in tropical coun-
tries. The hybrid will be proof against
the attacks OF the fly and oblivious to
the plague OF the rinderpest.
ThaS America is not at present the
home o. either Of these two destructive
evils Is q snted, but there are countries
th2t would afford q ready market for
the sale Of an animal which would
Withstand these deadly pests. To the
Ae@t HSS4AS Saf4idllsL q GnauCe Is OF
fered to make millions. II is said that
in Ahyssinia zebras can be had for
the asking. Mules are not at a pre-
MUM in this country. and a trust mo-
nopOlizing the manufacture OF gebroIds
would not be q bad-paying corporation
If the reports which come from South
Africa are true. It is stated that some
man who is interested in the develop
ment Of his country has tried the cx-
pertinent thers with great success.
A large Brule zebra has been an the
possession Of the local Geological Gar
dens for two years, but in the voyage
TO this country it had its ankle broken
This animal IL the property of Presi.-
dent Roosevelt, present from Prince
Menelik. The new candidate for hon
Ors is a member OF the Grevy genus,
which IS said TO exceed in size that OF
the class TO which the Presidents ami
NAL belongs. The marks on the new
zebra are particularly distinct. The
regular black and white stripes have
led the keepers to suggest the name
convict" as the permanent appeIiaTion
for the yOungsteT.
Both animals have been placed under
the personal supervision of Head Keep
er ". II. Blackburne. He has DEVELOPED
a sudden liking for the homeless lion
and he stated with a smile of pride
that he could see real Improvement in
the little brute since his arrival
The new animal house which will he
used as the home Tor small mammals
will be the finest in this section of the
country.