MAN'S LIFE LOST

Evening Star, Issue 21711, 4 May 1934, Page 4

MAN'S LIFE LOST

CAPTURING A TAKIH The rarest animal in the London Zoo —the takiii—has celebrated _ the eleventh anniversary of her arrival; but no one called to congratulate her, for Jenrty, as she is named, is also the loneliest animal in the Zoo. A strange creature, half-goat and half-antelope, she lives all by herself on the Mappin terraces, completely overshadowed on. one side by the Overpopular penguins, and on the other by the bears,. No other example Of the takin is likely to be captured. These animals live in the almost inaccessible mountains of Eastern Tibet and Bhutan, and, in addition to the difficulty of reaching their home, there is the complication that takins are regarded aft sacred, and the penalty for shooting or capturing ofae is the loss of hands and feet. Jenny’s captors managed to escape discovery, but, nevertheless, she was a costly prize, fot She Was captured On the edge of a precipice, and one hunter lost his life and five were injured before she was secured. But neither her rarity nor the story attached to her capture has helped to make Jenny popular. She has the misfortune to have a strong musk-like odour, and also she is misunderstood,. In her anxiety to get food from visitors--espeeial!y apples, which are her favourite food—she places her forelegs on a ledge and Stands almost upright, stretching her head over the top of the bars. Owing to her uncouth appearance, her efforts to beg are often mistaken fOr attempts to butt With her horns.