The Washington times., 1908-07-19
CAP TURING LIONS
IN NATIVE WILDS
Old Ones Are Speared to
Death and Cubs Only
Are Taken.

Some little time ago an enterprising
Continental zoo determined 10 find out
the animals that attracted visitors
most II held a competition in one Of
the local journals, and the highest
number Of votes were awarded 70 the
lion After all. we should. indeed. con-
slider a zoo decidedly incomplete unless
IL possessed a specimen or two of the
king OF beasts.
But few people know how the hon is
caught. fed, and transported from his
home In the wiLis OF Africa TO his cage
IN the geological garden.
When a zoo requires a new lion IL in
forms one Of the animal dealers, and
this individual teiegraphs that fact 70
his agent in Africa The latter calls
the natives 10 his aid and tells them
that he Is in want OF lions.
On the natives go. and in few weeks
return with number Of baby lions.
They rarely bring a full-grown animal
back with them, because OF holding H.
An adult lion can lift a full-grown
OK in his mouth, and run on with H..
BE can knock man down with one
stroke OF his tufted tail, and the
strength of his forepaws is tremendous.
The men Of the wilds know this. and
only seek the cubs.
Capturing the Cubs.
They soon detect the animals JAR,
and then make preparations TO take
the little ones. Sometimes II happens
that the parent animal is away.
Sometimes, however. the lioness is at
home At once she springs at the dar-
ing intruders. but they simply rain
spears one after another upon her until
she is dead Her cubs are then wrap
ped in blankets and carried to the
agent.
They are fel on goats milk, which
{ they drink out Of a bottle. until they
are hve or six weeks old They are
then given pieces OF fowl and nUrsed
/ in this way Till they reach the age
Of four months, when they are sent
down 10 the coast in little wooden boxes
on the backs Of camels. and shipped
10 Europe.
Not one person out OF a hundred who
gazes at a lion through the iron bars
OF its cage has probably ever dreamed
| that all this work has been necessary
TO bring the animal alive from It's
native haunts 10 the zoo.
IL is in the beautiful animal park at
( Hamburg that the finest example OF
the lion now in captivity IS 10 be found,
a magnificent creature called AIeXander.
he is only four years OF age a perfect
/ giant Tor his age and possessing flne
name
A Barbary Lion.
Until few months ago the honor OF
possessing the finest specimen Of the
king Of beasts, was held by the New
York Zoo IN Hannibal. a Barbary lion.
which was presented by the little
daughter Of Andrew Carnegie.
When her father s5ked her what she
would like TO present TO the Gardens
en- her birthday, she replied. The big
gest hairy headed lion in the world.
NIr Carneeie-s comment on her yefIv
was quite characteristic.
Naturally he said. ''she chose the
most expensive animal, but her promise
Will be made good.
Hannibal was well aware Of the high
position he held among his tribe, for
he was very fond Of posing IN the cen
ter OF his cage for admiration. a trait
which all visitors 70 the gardens ap-
! plauded.
Hunting With Lions.
In ancient times the kings IN hot
countries used 10 hunt with tame lions.
and history records many instances of
the attachment this noble creature has
shown toward man. Even today such
cases are by no means unknown
There is the story, for instance. OF the
late Prof. Darling and his performing
lion Leo. This animal was obtained
I from Nubia. and was trained to perform
with Eve other lions. Leo bit his mas
Ter twice, while on one occasion the
| beast saved his life The latter incl
dent occurred in Paris Darling was
knocked down by one Of his animals.
and was being terribly mauled, when
Leo sprang 70 his assistance and drove
the other lions away
From that day forward the trainer
grew Srea- " attached to Leo. the Larry
/ est and finest Of all his lions.
When Darling died he left instructions
I IN his will that Leo was to be given
| his liberty The animal was accord
! ingly taken back 10 Nubia, and re-
leased in the forest there-ENShange-