Expression Of Affection

Press, Volume C, Issue 29643, 13 October 1961, Page 14

Expression Of Affection

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, October 12. It doesn’t pay to monkey with a gorilla—even a baby gorilla six months old, 2ft tall, and wearing rubber pantsA photographer discovered this on board the Matson freighter, Sonoma, in Auckland tonight. Little John, one of four junior-sized gorillas on their way to Taronga Park Zoo, in Sydney, was sucking contentedly on a baby’s bottle when the photographer ventured within range. Little John dropped the bottle, grabbed the cameraman’s tie, and almost throttied him. "Gorillas are affectionate creatures,” said Dr. D. Pickett, an American veterinarian, who was in charge of the animals, “but they are extremely emotional.” The gorillas, trapped by Dr. Pickett in the

West Africa, were inspected when the ship berthed by Sir Edward Hallstrom, the millionaire Sydney philanthropist, who has bought them for Taronga Park. Dr. Pickett, who comes from Kansas City, is a world authority on gorillas and chimpanzees. He spends six months of each year in West Africa, where he has a holding compound, then takes the animals back to the United States before selling them. Middleweight Boxing Title. —T. Downes, of Britain, will meet P. Pender, of the United States. in January for Downes’ part of the world middleweight title. Downes i» recognised as the champion in Europe, but G. Fullmer holds the version of the title recognised by the National Boxing Association. —Boston. October 12.