THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT JIMMY

Evening Star, Issue 20422, 1 March 1930, Page 9

THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT JIMMY

When Zoo favourites fall from grace ami are told they can no longer be trusted to play with their visitors, they aro not as a rule particularly upset. The outburst of temper , that has robbed them of their privileges is a sure sign that their feelings toward mankind are undergoing a change; the animals have no longer a desire to be petted, though they may remain on friendly terms with a few people whom they have known for some time. But. although this applies to the majority of Zoo pets who have disgraced themselves there are exceptions, and Jimmy, the eldest of the three performing chimpanzees, is one. Jimmy lost his temper one day and scratched a child’s face, and has, given several indications that he cannot be trusted; yet the ape still wants to come out of his cage to play with his friends, and is suffering greatly from jealousy and regret. During the summer Jimmy did not seem to regret the privileges he had lost, for each gfternoon he was taken out of doors to take part in the chimpanzees' lea party; and even if lie could not be petted by visitors he was admired and praised by them. Rut now that Zoo visitors are scarce and life is less exciting Jimmy is often very unhappy. If he sees one of his old friends entering the monkey house he begins to scream, and, rushing to the door communicating with the service passage, kicks it violently; then, still screaming, he rolls over and over as if in agony, and finally crouches in a corner and “ cries.” Naturally the onlookers are distressed, for they think that the poor creature is in physical pain, and wonder why nothing is being done for him. They do not know that Jimmy screams and kicks because bo remembers the days when he went through tho door to [day; and that he cries because be knows bis screams and kicks are in vain.

In the past there have been disgraced Zoo favourites who have tried to win their way into favour again. Quo was an elephant who bolted one day when she was being taken out to give rides to young visitors. Never again was she allowed out in the gardens, yet she seemed to be trying to show that her lapse was due to nerves, not temper, for when children offered her buns she was extraordinarily gentle; and when a baby elephant was placed in her den she did her best to caro for it.

As adult animals do not often adopt tlie partly-reared offspring of one of their kinsfolk her tenderness to the little elephant was a surprise. But even this good deed was not taken as proof of her right to ho trusted. Once a Zoo favourite falls from his pedestal he can never get hack again.