Evening star., 1940-08-07
By w. H. SHIPPEN, Jr.

r..
The yoracious appetites Of Liberian
bush natives considerably reduced
the size OF the animal collection
being placed on display at the Zoo
today from the Smithsonian Insti-
n-Firestone expedition to West
Africa.
While Zoo Director William M.
Mann and his party arrived with
several hundred rare birds, beasts
and reptiles, scores of valuable speci-
mems were sacrificed to the con-
suming hunger for meat of the
natives who inhabit the wild back
country of Liberia.
None Of the creatures of the forest
seemed too unappetizing for their
taste-lizards, frogs, snakes, porcu-
pines, rates as well as valuable
antelope, etc. All were seized with
enthusiasm and eaten with great
relish, whenever the natives could
escape detection by members of the
expedition.
\ Mann in Need of Rest.
DR.. Mann, greatly weakened by a
severe attack Of tropical malaria,
arrived here this morning with Mrs.
Mann on the boat from Norfolk,
where the expedition landed yes
terday from the freighter West
Irmo. The expedition leader was
taken ashore from the ocean
freighter when it arrived al quaran-
tine of Norfolk Monday night.
He remained overnight in Marine
Hospital and yesterday left the hos
pital, against the advice of physi-
clans, to help supervise the clear
ing of his animal cargo through the
port authorities.
DR.. Mann accompanied part of the
animal shipment OH the boat from
Norfolk last night. The remainder
of the animals came by express.
Physicians were in consultation at
DR.. Mann's home today to determine
if he will be hospitalized. Doctors
at Marine Hospital in Norfolk said
he was in need of long rest, prob
ably best enforced in hospital.
The expedition left Washington
in February under direction of the
Smithsonian Institution and the
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., which
has a large rubber plantation in
Liberia. The Washingtonians made
several safari trips into the interior
of Liberia.
Rat Eaten by Natives.
The collectors found that the bush
natives could be hired readily to
join in great hunt. Few seemed
to understand, however, that such
small fry as fell into their hands
could not be eaten at once.
One member of the expedition
said he saw three natives corner a
huge rat. They threw it into a fire
and let it remain "just abut long
enough to SINCE the hair" Then
they pulled the rat from the fire,
chopped 1t into three pieces without
cleaning the carcass and devoured it
on the spot.
On another occasion a drive by
beaters had netted a beautiful ante
lope. After the valuable creature
was captured native, whether by
design or by accident, struck It
across the shoulders with knife.
The antelope died the next day, and
the natives ate it. b.
Some Of the prizes of the col-
lection, the miniature antelope and
a number of West Africal parrots,
will not be placed on display for
two weeks. During this time they
will be under a rigid quarantine on
the second floor of the Reptile
House. Malcolm Davis, keeper of the
Bird House and veteran of many
previous expeditions, will be placed
in quarantine to care for the birds
and animals
Health Precautions Taken
The precautions were ordered by
United States health authorities t6
guard against the Importation Of
hoof and rnouthdis ease By the ami
mails or parrot fever by the BIRDS.
Mr.. Davis will not be allowed to