ANIMAL IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 14 January 1925, Page 8

ANIMAL IMMIGRANTS.

FOR THE AUCKLAND ZOO. VALUABLE ARRIVALS FROM LONDON".

By the arrival of the steamer Tekoa from Ixindon last evening, the already very valuable collection of animals and birds at the Auckland Zoo was considerably augmented, for the vessel brought four polar bears, two Bengal tigers, two pumas, a hyena, a chimpanzee, a giant anteater and ten birds, tho majority of a species not hitherto seen in this country. With the exception of the anteater, all arrived in good health after their long and tedious sea voyage, and when the steamer berthed t his morning at the Queen's Wharf, the

"new chums" were conveyed by motor lorry to their new home at Grey Lynn. When the Tekoa called at Suva en route large numbers of natives, hearing of the vessel's strange passengers, on board and manifested keen interest in the animals.

For their voyage to New Zealand the animals and birds were housed in small cages on the deck. The chimpanzees, (there were original"/ two), however, were lilierated and given the freedom <.f the ship, and soon gained the favour o) all on board, It was a sad day when one of the animals died as a result of the unusual conditions of a sea voyage The other, however, continued to amuse with his antics for the remainder of the trip and arrived in perfect health. "Members of the crew say they will sadly miss the monkey, which, owing to its friendly disposition, should become a popular favourite with visitors to the Zoo.

The other death was that of one of the anteaters which succumbed before the journey was half complete/1. Its mate also contracted a disease, and. although still alive, is reported to be in a very sorry plight. The animal was to be examined to-day by a veterinary surgeon and every effort will be made to save its life.

Of the four Polar bears which were captured last Arctic spring and taken to Norway, and from there to England, one is a large male, the other three being young females. Throughout the voyage the old bear kept up a continual tattoo on the wooden sides of his prison and soon after the ship left Balboa members of the company were given a severe fright when the captive! as a result of his continual thumping, all but succeeded in gaining the freedom of the deck. The appearance of the bear's head was a signal for all in the vicinity to make a. bolt for safety, some choosing doors and alley ways and others taking to the rigging.. Nothing of a serious nature, however, occurred, the animal's keeper getting it within its cage again with little trouble. After this incident iron bars were used to make further attempts at escape abortive.

Unusually friendly are the two beautiful Bengal tigers, which were the centreof an admiring crowd when the animals wre being shipped from the steamer to the wharf this morning. In striking contrast were the two pumas which refused the most friendly of advances and kept up the snarling and snapping characteristic of their kind.