A TIGER STROLLS IN THE PARK

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33419, 28 December 1973, Page 1

A TIGER STROLLS IN THE P ARK

\\ hiie little h''\> pi»i\od A'.’ ! V ictoria in North Haglm Park yesterday, a tig'i strolled around the eastern shore. Ihe little boys left tne r Christmas presents float mg and went to pat the tiger. But the tiger w.i not to be patted — ex cept by its trainers and handlers. Mr and Mrs \\ Zapashny Typhoon, a South China ngci weighing more than kilos (about 4501 b) wa<taken out of his cage tor an afternoon stroll on a leash, after being tn the cage since November 2d He appeared docile, and even licked Mrs Zaps shny’s face with his tongue. The Moscow Circus anima' spent most of yesterdax sleeping in their cages in the shade of the tents. During the voyage from Russia to Lyttelton the ship passed through storm, hut according t ihe handlers the anima"were less affected than the men, some of whom were sea-sick Some of the circus equipment was damaged in the storm, but apparently tlw damage can be repaired in time for the premiere next Tuesday. ie animal was given a privilege of which he took full advantage. osha, a 3}-year-old male bear from Northern Europe, took a shower from a hose. Koosha lapped it up, splashing water over his face with his paws, while standing on his hind legs. He likes eating salads, cabbage. eggs, condensed milk and three loaves of bread a day. One of his favourite delicacies is strawberries. His trainer. Mr V Belakov, says that he has never had a serious accident in his career as a beartrainer — “Thank God ' He says that when the bears start to claw it is a warning that they could be- getting agitated and therefore dangerous. Most of the time their mouths are kept muzzled. The technical manager. Mr J. Bullen, once spent six months in hospital after one of the unmuzzled bears enveloped his calf with his mouth.