DEATH OF RAJAH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 10

DEATH OF RAJAH.

ZOO ELEPHANT SHOT.

CONDITIONS CRITICISED.

REPLY BY MR. E. J. PHELAN.

A suggestion that Rajah, the male elephant at the Auckland Zoo, which was recently destroyed, was driven to roguery, is contained in a letter which has been written to the "Star" by Mr. A. G. Yardley, of Matamata. Mr. Yardley also comments on the conditions at the zoo generally, and his criticism has been replied to by Mr. E. J. Phelan, chairman of the Parks Committee of the Auckland City Council.

Mr. Yardley writes as follows: "Sir,— It was in sympathy with Rajah that I read your report in Monday's issue that this elephant had been shot. I did not wcyider; lam still grieved. Among my greatest pleasures on visits to Auckland has been to run out to Grey Lynn to see the animals.. I admire the magnificent ' layout and appointments, and some of the conditions under which the animals arc kept. But, oa occasions, I think over a period of the last three years that I have visited the 7,00, I have never seen Rajah out of his stall. "On a Sunday, six weeks ago, when Jamuna was out giving the kiddies rides, Rajah was tethered up as usual. In passing through the elephant house I was actually sick. The house reeked with stench. lam belated in recording this, possibly because I am not a resident of Auckland. It did not then occur to me that I should enter a protest. Possibly had I done so no notice would liaVe been taken. It took the demise of a noble beast to awaken me to perhaps more than one tragedy that has occurred in this animal kingdom. "Elephant Was Suffering." "I was a visitor with but a reader's association with 'wild' animals, except for visits to various zoos. As such, it appears to me that only common sense was necessary to see that Rajah had been suffering over a considerable period. The condition of his life, as far as visitors were concerned, was such as would turn any living thing sour. The full life of an elephant is -said to be 105 years. Can one imagine the next 80 years for Rajah had he lived in the elephant house at the Auckland Zoo. I suggest that a full report on this noble beast's life in Auckland is ' due to the people. They and visitors might then be convinced that Rajah was not driven to roguery. "I love Auckland and its people, and would hate to think that the people are neglectful of the noble specimens of animal life they possess. How many of the 200,000 have frequently visited and watched for themselves this magnificent place that to my mind is gradually- losing its attractiveness, and becoming very drab." - Chairman in Reply. "We have our regrets at having to destroy Rajah, but necessity knows 110 law," commented Mr. E. J. Phelan. "Rajah was just about to reach the age of maturity—? very dangerous period— and had developed very bawl habits. It was only possible loir orid : of to attend to him and it. was not safe for visitors to the Zoo tp go the elephant house .at all owiflg tosllajah's habit of spitting. We found/_ impossible "to retain him and we disposed of him in the most humane way: j>o?sible, acting in this connection on; Iho'reports of the curator, Colonel Sawer, who is a man of wide experience in the handling of animals. It was imperative that we should destroy the animal, .as, in the circumstances we could hardly ask anyone else to accept him. So far as the conditions in the elephant house are concerned, one could not expect the home of elephants to be altogether < pleasant, but care is taken to see that at least it is kept sanitary and clean.

.ep_ „ --j-K*.--. ■ "With regards to the exhibits at thi 100, we candidly admit that.the renewa >f exhibits has been neglected durim ;he past few years, hut that has beer lue to the economic conditions which nave prevailed during that time. Steps are now being taken, howjver, to place the Zoo under the direct :ontrol of Colonel Sawer, who has been appointed curator, and we are hoping to introduce exhibits from time to time which will prove of considerable attraction to the general public. In the past the Zoo has been under the control of the superintendent* of parks."