housekeeping for wild animals
there are three essentials in the care and feeding of wild animals—good food, cleanliness, and exercise. food and cleanliness come first, but exercise is nearly as important, and this is one of the main reasons why animals in traveling shows are so much healthier and stronger than those kept in zoological parks. in the parks they get food and cleanliness, but little exercise; for wild animals are proverbially lazy, and, unless compelled by hunger or force of circumstances, will not exert themselves in the least, preferring to lie about and sleep rather than even to walk round their cages.
“the three graces”
with trained animals especially, the trainers make it one of their chief objects to give their animals exercise; first, to keep them in37 good condition, and, secondly, to make them more alert and active. captain bonavita, a well-known trainer, makes it a rule to take out all his lions, whether performing that week or not, and exercise them up and down the passages, the runways behind the cages, or in the arena.
in doing this there are difficulties. all wild animals, especially lions, dislike movement. true, they pace up and down their cages, but this is only when waiting for food, or because they have discovered a stranger in the building and resent it. this pacing is not exercise enough. think of the miles a lion has to race in his wild state in search of food!
but in captivity there is no inducement to take any exercise at all. he is fed well and regularly, for his commercial value is considerable, and he is well worth taking care of. he knows that he will get his food in some way or other, and so the most he does in the matter is to pace restlessly up and down his small cage and exercise his lungs by roaring occasionally.
having to go through two performances38 a day compels the animal to take a certain amount of regular exercise, which he always resents, but which improves his health and condition. this is the reason that trained animals have such good sleek coats,—a true test of the condition of an animal,—well-grown, thick manes, and clean mouths, feet, and eyes.
there can be no doubt whatever that all wild animals enjoy a change of air and scene. watch a lion or a tiger when anything strange or unusual takes place. he will rise up and do his best to investigate, and, failing in this, he walks about and roars at the top of his voice. and although this is a little trying to the nerves of some of his hearers, he is all the better for it in many ways.
it has been noticed by many animal owners and trainers, and i have invariably noticed it myself, that the animals grow listless and indifferent after being in one place for a long time; but as soon as they begin to travel, they rouse themselves and take an interest in all that is going on. very few animals roar or make any sound when traveling, but they are, nevertheless, always on the qui vive to know39 what is happening, and evidently take a great interest in it all. the very movement of the wagons and trains, although occasionally upsetting them for a short time, proves beneficial in stirring up their livers, which often grow torpid from the sedentary life.
many have the idea that wild animals are very robust, but this is a great mistake. instead of being in strong and rude health, they are subject to all kinds of ailments, and in many cases have to be looked after as carefully as an infant. lions are subject to colds and coughs, and to very serious tuberculosis, which often ends fatally in less than eight months, its course being far more rapid with them than with men.
another trouble with lions is that they are much afflicted with rheumatism, and unless kept in a dry and warm place, get so crippled in the joints that they not only become valueless for show purposes, but very often have to be killed in order to put them out of their misery—a serious loss when a lion has cost over a thousand dollars and has increased his value by becoming a good performer.
40 lionesses, too, are subject to a large number of complaints, and even when fairly healthy and strong require unceasing attention. it is a very critical time when a lioness is about to have cubs. the lioness is invariably more restless and much quicker in movement than the lion, but when expecting to become a mother her restlessness is terrible, and her excitement, if allowed to get the least bit beyond her control, very frequently results in her not only killing all her little ones, but actually eating them. and when this has once happened, it is a rare thing ever to make a good mother of her, for she will do it again and again, not through dislike or fear of her offspring, but simply because she is restless and unnerved, and does not seem to know what she is doing in her distress.
of course, in addition to ordinary complaints, there are other things which affect the health of wild animals. in a free fight among wild beasts, such as happened at one time with captain bonavita’s lions, the animals received serious injuries. it takes very little to start lions fighting; it is their nature to fight one43 another, and it is only by training and the wonderful power which captain bonavita holds over his animals, that this large number of wild beasts is made to sit calmly round on pedestals and not even touch one another.
“denver” and “cæsar”
in this case captain bonavita had turned his twenty-seven lions out into the runway behind the cages in preparation for the performance, when denver, one of the biggest and fiercest nubian lions, suddenly started a fight with another lion. in a very few minutes the whole twenty-seven lions were fighting madly in the narrow passageway, with one man among them, for whom at that moment they had nothing but supreme contempt.
captain bonavita did his best to separate the animals, and took some desperate chances while doing so, for the lions were only too ready for something to fight; but it was all useless. he shouted orders to them, called them by name, fired blank cartridges, and when he had exhausted his voice, cartridges, and strength, could only take refuge behind one narrow board, into which he had luckily had a handle put only the day before, and do his best to defend himself.
44 this board was not wide enough to cover him, and he had to guard himself carefully, as several lions were trying to get at him through the little space which was left at one side. all he could do was to shift the board constantly, but among so many it was small wonder that at last one of the lions got one huge paw in, and tore a large piece of the trainer’s coat and flesh off his chest. by great efforts, however, bonavita managed to get out alive.
in this terrific fight several of the lions were seriously injured, for the fight lasted over an hour, and it took nearly another hour to get all the animals back into their cages again. one or two were badly bitten and torn, and it was necessary that some sewing and patching should be done. with great caution, ropes were dropped round the neck and legs of each of the injured animals, and in this way they were drawn close to the bars, and the necessary stitches and repairs were accomplished with much difficulty. this is one of the most dangerous things to do to a wild animal, for, in spite of being tied, he is45 always on the lookout, and can give a bite which would stop the operator forever. but in this case all was got through safely, and the lions eventually recovered.
animals are always roped in this way when anything is wrong with their teeth, claws, or limbs. it is the only way in which they can be handled at all. as for the notion that many people have that some of the animals are drugged, i need scarcely say that it is absurd. animals cannot be drugged in that way. to drug wild animals might mean some very serious losses, not to mention the fact that the ultimate effect of the drugs would greatly depreciate their commercial value.
and while speaking of this peculiar delusion of the public, i might, perhaps, also be allowed to mention the mistaken idea that so many have, that cruelty is practised to a certain extent in an animal exhibition.
no greater mistake could possibly be made. a man who purchases valuable race-horses does not ill-treat them or allow others to ill-treat them. on the contrary, apart from the humane point of view, he takes care that all46 the men in his establishment are kind to the animals in every way, attending to their wants and comforts, and taking the greatest care of them.
it is much the same in an animal exhibition. for instance, the lion has a market value determined by his ability as a performer. any healthy, well-formed lion is worth from eight hundred to twelve hundred dollars, but in the case of a lion performing in a group, the loss of one means the practical disbandment of the group, because they have been taught to act in concert, and another will be necessary to take the place of the dead or disabled one. add the lion’s value to the cost of transportation and training, not to mention the costly item of feeding for years, and you will have a pretty large figure. it must, therefore, be apparent to those who will take the trouble to give the matter a little consideration, that the very greatest care must be taken of the animals, and that the slightest abuse of them cannot be allowed.
even were this not so, i would not allow any one employed by me to stay another day49 if i once found that he was using any cruelty whatever to the animals in his charge. kindness may not be appreciated by wild animals in one sense, but it undoubtedly tends to promote their comfort and health.
mlle. aurora and her polar bears
in feeding wild animals care is always taken to have the temperature of the food and water about the same as the temperature of the body. should their meat or water be given to them too hot or too cold, it affects their stomachs, and they may be ill for weeks in consequence.
only the very best and freshest of meat is given them. the least taint or disease would be sure to cause trouble in some form or other, and in many cases serious sickness and death would follow. it is true that lions in their wild state, when unable to procure fresh food, will occasionally eat tainted food. whether or not their free, out-of-door life tends to counteract the ill effects of this, is not definitely known. all i personally know is, that lions and tigers in captivity are unable to eat any tainted food without a sickness following, which not only gives untold trouble and cost to the owners, but is also a source of extreme50 unpleasantness to those around. the only way to keep wild beasts wholesome and free from smell is to give them the best and freshest of food.
the best food for lions and tigers is good fresh beef or mutton, and an occasional sheep’s head, of which they are extremely fond. curiously enough, they are fond of any heads,—sheep’s, chickens’, calves’, lambs’, and others,—and will always eat them with the greatest relish. about twelve to fifteen pounds of beef or mutton are given to each of my lions and tigers twice a day, unless we deem it advisable to lessen it on any signs of sickness. pork is never given under any circumstances, or much fat, although lions are rather fond of the fat of mutton.
with each piece of beef or mutton, if we can manage it, is given a piece of bone; the reason for this is that gnawing the bone helps digestion and is good for the teeth. on sundays no food, but plenty of water, is given to the carnivora. this fast-day once a week is absolutely necessary; it rests their digestion, prevents them from growing too fat and lazy, and51 is beneficial to their health in many ways. i have carefully watched, and although at times some will get restless when feeding-time approaches on sunday, they soon settle down again, and on monday do not seem to be more hungry than on any other day in the week.
when it becomes apparent that a lion or tiger needs an aperient, a piece of liver is given, which has the desired effect. in some cases the liver is given once a week, particularly if the animal is a little off his feed. in other cases, a rabbit, pigeon, or chicken—always killed first—is given; this last food being specially beneficial should the animal be troubled with worms—a not unfrequent cause of sickness.
in cases of special sickness, of course, other means have to be employed, and special medicines given, in order to restore the animal to health. as all carnivora suffer, to a large extent, from the same complaints as human beings, they can be treated in much the same way.
when the sickness cannot be cured by a change of diet, a certain amount of medicine52 is mixed with the water or milk. should the animal refuse to take it in this way, a tempting piece of fresh meat is plugged with the medicine, inserted in capsules, and in this way the animal takes his dose without tasting it.
but it is only in extreme cases that i consider it a good thing to give medicine. the best way is to let the animals fast for a time, give them plenty of fresh water, or a little milk, as much fresh air and exercise as possible, and leave the rest to nature, which in nearly all cases effects a complete cure.
bears are occasionally given raw meat, but it is not a good thing to give them too much. they thrive best on cooked meats, fish, and bread—dry or soaked in milk. a polar bear is extremely fond of fat pork, and would go through a great deal to get even a small bit; but one of the greatest delicacies you can give a polar bear is a dish of fish-oil. his relish and keen appreciation are well worth seeing, and no connoisseur could display greater enjoyment over a choice entrée than a polar bear over a dish of fish-oil.
polar bears need special care in many ways.53 the great change of climate is one of their worst trials, and there is no doubt that in the hot weather they suffer very much, no matter what one does for their comfort. even in cold, frosty weather, a polar bear, when being trained, will get completely played out long before any ordinary bear would consider he had begun. in a very short time he will begin to pant and show signs of distress.
in training her group of polar bears, mlle. aurora took great pains to give the animals as little exertion as possible, and those who have seen this group perform will remember that the chief things they do are to take up positions on various stands and make pretty groupings. in this way she has certainly succeeded in getting one of the finest groups of polar bears on exhibition, while there is also the comforting feeling that the animals are not being made to do more than they are able.
one of the most interesting but, at the same time, uncertain things in the care of wild animals is the rearing and feeding of cubs. cubs vary in size, health, strength, disposition, and temperament as much as children, and the care54 and treatment of them have to be regulated accordingly.
the mothers differ likewise. many lionesses and tigresses make extremely good mothers, many do not. some take the greatest care of their young, others appear to be absolutely indifferent, while a very few will even turn on their offspring and bite them viciously. the last case more often comes from worry or excitement; the mother is a little run down at the time, and unless absolute quiet is given her, she is apt to vent it on the little ones.
it will be readily understood that in an exhibition which is open to the public all day long it is extremely difficult to give any animal absolute quiet; but we always do our best, and it is wonderful how tender-hearted the roughest of men become toward the animals at a time like this. from the very commencement we try to make life as easy and comfortable as possible for the animal with young.
she is given an extra-roomy cage, placed where she will not be more disturbed than is necessary. her health and diet are most carefully looked after, and she is watched continually.55 as soon as she appears uneasy, the cage is covered up, and she is left to herself until she has had plenty of time to settle down with her little ones. the cage is not opened to the public, as a rule, for two weeks, and even then great care has to be taken.
should the cubs be fairly healthy, the mother takes care of them,—if she is a good mother,—and they remain with her for about eight or ten weeks, although the length of time depends entirely on the mother and the growth and well-being of the cubs. weaning is begun gradually. at first the cubs are taken away from the mother in the morning and given back to her at night, and there are occasionally some very lively times during this episode, as it is an extremely dangerous proceeding to take the cubs away from the lioness or tigress. a small door is made in the cage, and while the mother’s attention is attracted in another direction, the cubs are either coaxed out, or pushed through the door with an iron rod, and received in a basket or in the arms of one of the keepers.
56 when this takes place there is always a pathetic scene. the mother gives a peculiar moaning cry, low and short, as though breathless, while the cubs answer shrilly and make as much fuss and noise as they are able. the mother holds her head in the air when the cubs have disappeared, and listens eagerly for the direction from which the cries of her little ones come, and after answering with another moan tries to get out in the direction of the cries.
in the meantime the cubs are given a bone with a little piece of raw meat on it, generally beef. this takes up all their attention for the time being, and they will wrestle and tussle over these bones as though they had never known any other food. in this manner the day passes; but as evening comes on, the cubs become restless and cry pitifully, while the mother answers and listens attentively. when they are returned to the cage there is even more danger, for nothing will attract the mother’s attention then. she knows her cubs are being brought nearer to her, and paces up and down, jumping up59 toward the top of the cage, and doing her best in every possible way to get out.
lion monarchs in infancy
as soon as the cubs are once inside again, she lies down on the floor, receiving them with great delight and giving little pleased cries of welcome, licking the cubs carefully all over, and playing with them; while the cubs jump about, roll over her, and show their pleasure in various ways. after this has happened a few times, the cubs have learned to eat meat, and sometimes, when the mother is fed, they will, by united efforts, drag her portion of meat away and fight over it, while she looks on, growling a little, but not interfering until they grow tired, when she carries it off and eats it quietly at her leisure.
when the cubs are taken away from the mother entirely, they are fed on soft food, milk, and an occasional bone, and soon begin to grow. one of the greatest dangers to which cubs are subject are convulsions, which appear to be partly caused by teething. in these cases certain specifics are given, the cub is kept in the animal infirmary as quietly as possible, and when it is better is returned to60 the other cubs. i have noticed frequently, and i have no doubt others have noticed also, that after convulsions cubs generally grow very fast, and in some cases appear even better and stronger than the others.
