Jock At The London Zoo

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

Jock At The London Zoo

EITHER Jock, the powerful lion mate of Juno at the zoo, has been much misunderstood,- or his coming to London has reformed him. Tens of thousands knew him, for until he came to the zoo five years ago he had. toured the country with a menagerie. While a traveller Jock was regarded as a rather greedy mate, and when cubs appeared he was always marched off to a den of his own. Recently two cubs were born to Juno before they were expected, and the keepers arrived one morning to find Juno in the den with the youngsters and Jock very proud and officious on guard at the door. As he showed no jealousy of the little ones, and was behaving like a gentleman, he was permtited to remain, with the result that he has built up an entirely new and honourable record. Instead of robbing Juno of her food, when the meat is placed in the outer cage Jock chivalrously picks out the best portion for Juno, carries it to her den, pops it Inside, and returns to eat his own share.

The nursery season seems to bring to most creatures a reinforcement of parental affection. The big herb-eating animals protect their offspring with a devotion that wanes only with mortal injury; Horses and bulls fight to the last for foals and calves.