New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-19
BRONX ELEPHANT LOOSE
At BAY AMONG REPTILES.
Director Hornaday and Keepers
Spend Night Matching Lama.

Hundreds of visitors to the New York zoolog
ical Park, in The Bronx, treated to all the
excitement and danger of an elephant hunt yes
terday afternoon when Luna, the recent acqui-
stion from Luna Park. who is generally regard
ed as the accepted fancee of Gunda, the giant
Indian elephant. took fright at the sight of the
pumas while being led from the antelope house,
the temporary home of the elephants. and bolted
at top speed
As soon as he could recover from his surprise
at her actions, Walter Truman one of her keep
ers, tried to stop the flight of the pachyderrl.
using his goad to the best of his ability. but
without success. Luna seemed determined to
seek shelter in the reptile house and headed In
that direction. with Truman hanging suspended
from one of her ears
Attracted by the unusual noises and by the
frantic cries of Truman, all the other keepers
within sight and sound, assisted by H. r. Mitch
ell, assistant director of the park. rushed to the
assistance of Truman, and Edward Bayreuther
who was with him, but before they could pre-
vent her Luna had forced her enormous bulk
through the doorway of the reptile
house, and plunged in among hundred more
women and children, who instantly began a wild
struggle TO get TO points of safety
In the crush that resulted Mrs H A Stolen
werck. of No. 1892 Sterling Place, Brooklyn.
West 4Tth street. fell almost under the feet of
Luna, suffering a bad cut over her left eye.
1t did not take more than half minute to
clear the building Of the thoroughly scared
throng. and then the keepers tried to get Luna
out This was done without much difficulty.
after her front feet had been hobbled with
heavy iron chains, and she was led out into the
pathway, still trembling with fear. But no
sooner had Luna reached the open than she
started off on another rampage. This time she
selected the tortoise house as her place of
refuge. and. with six or seven keepers hanging
on, she made rush for the narrow door lead
ing into the house and forced her way in among
the sleeping turtles.
1t was in endeavoring to stop her going into
this place that Truman came near losing his
life. As Luna showed her way inside the en-
trance. Truman was at her head and before
he could leap aside his way was blocked by the
elephant With remarkable presence of mind
he grasped her about the left front leg and was
thus carried inside. Had he not changed his
position he undoubtedly would have been
crushed to death between the entrance and
Luna's body.
Director Hornaday then took charge Of the
situation. He deemed it best to allow Luna to
stay in the tortoise house until she recovered
her equilibrium, but this was not agreeable to
until she reached point near the crocodile pool
when fear once more took possession of her, and
she charged madly about the edge OF the pool
causing the giant reptiles to seek safety in the
deepest spots of their pond.
Leaving the path. Luna next plunged through
some shrubbery and again made for the reptile
house, which she allowed to enter Here
Director Hornaday. thinking to pacify the beast
with food, ordered that loaves of bread and ap-
pies be brought, but Luna was not tempted by
this light repast and turned her back Seeing
that the elephant bent remaining in
the reptile house, Mr.. Hornaday ordered that
she be chained 10 the floor, because hundreds
of snakes, some of the most deadly kind were
in glass boxes along the sides of the house and
the consequences which would follow if these
reptiles set at liberty were not pleasant to
contemplate.
So concerned was the director over the future
behavior of Luna that he decided to spend the
night at the park, so that he could watch the
fear crazed elephant. Truman and Bayreuther
remained with him all night to prevent Luna.
in case she should take fright again wrecking
the reptile house. Early this morning, it
said last night, attempt would be made to
take the elephant back TO the antelope house.