The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-01-13
The new WILD animal
CENTER OF The WORLD

ed fear that certain species of ami
mais might become extinct. The
American bison, except for one or
two small herds in captivity, has dis
appeared. The elk is rare. The
Bengal tiger is by no means common
over a score of them in one place
is a remarkable sight. Benny, a
splendid four year old at the Boctock
zoo, was brought from the palace of
Maharajah as a cub. The grizzly
bear will perhaps live only in the
history of the West within a few
years.
With the conditions existing here,
however, and the fact that more and
more attention is being given to the
subject, most Of the wild animals
can be propagated indefinitely in cap
tivity. Many of the elk in Griffith
Park were born there. Four of the
African lions there are native sons
of California, having been born with.
in the last year.
There is little information as to
the numbers Of certain African wild
animals, but they are becoming much
rarer all the time, and will either be-
come extinct or be bred in captivity.
The circus is rather a consumer of
wild animals than conserver. altho
H. was perhaps the circus that Great
ed the demand and consequently Sc
cured some of the rarest species of
animals. If the rarer and less domes-
ticated animals are to be preserved,
1t will be through some such means
as the animal farms that are being
established in Los Angeles.
ostriches and AIIisators
The extent to which animal breed
ing may be carried has been demon
strated by the ostrich and alligator
farms. These are not only show
places, but have a regular product
in the feathers of the birds and the
valuable skins Of the amphibians.
Wild animal breeding might not Of
fer the same commercial possibili-
ties, although if supply of Bengal
tiger skins could be produced they
would undoubtedly find riarket.
There will always, however, be a
demand for animals for city zoologi.
cal gardens, and it is probable that
Los Angeles will become the head
quarters of this industry.
In addition to the collections of
animals already mentioned, Univers-
al City has an array of lions, tigers,
leopards and an elephant. While
these are not within the city limits,
they are to all purposes another part
Of the remarkable display to be found
here.
There is no question that Los
Angeles has the largest and the most
valuable collection Of wild animals
in the world" said R. F. Taylor,
general manager of the Bostock com
pany. 1.-THE Bostock collection was
started 40 years ago in London,
England, and it has been the object
to secure the best animals for exhi,
bition purposes that are to be had
Our lions. tigers and leopards are
all troupes, each troupe trained for
series Of acts. Before the motion
picture business developed to its
present stage they were valuable for
travelling shows. Now they are be,
ing especially trained for animal dra
mas. The most valuable wild ami
mails, naturally, are those born In
captivity, as they have less of the
wild traits and are more susceptible
to education.
"This is a splendid place for wilt
animals. We have family Of foul
lion cubs now, and they play abou
like kittens in the open air at al
times. On the other hand, we have
| u tioupC w lidihCu Poioi pSoio, oh'
of the L n difficult animals to han
die, and they are generally yer,
healthy and comfortable, although
the climate is much warmer thar
their own.
Zone of the difficulties that hal
been experienced in keeping ant
propogating the savage wild animals
has been the severity of confinement
necessary. BY training all Of thu
animals constantly this difficulty II
avoided. If animals are taken from
their cages daily and given certain
amount of training and exercise, the,
do not grow so restless nor PINE
away. This requires constant atten
ton and a heavy expense, as specia
trainers have to be kept for the diff
ferent troupes of animals.