Hand That Fed Bitten By Leopard For Auckland Zoo

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23367, 25 September 1950, Page 6

Hand That Fed Bitten By Leopard For Auckland Zoo

(P.A.)

AUCKLAND. Sept. 23,

A leopard, young and untrustworthy arrived in Auckland yesterday for the zoo. She backs away when approached too closely, but she watches movement with aler{ and unbenign eyes, and anyone near has only to turn his back for her to reach out with claws as sharp as razors. She earned the name of “Greta Garbo" because of her violent dislike of company.

Greta was a “passenger” by the Union Company’s new freighter Kawaroa, and was picked up at Singapore a month ago during the ship’s maiden voyage from England to New Zealand. She has been brough* to Auckland to replace the female leopard which was shot and killed after escaping from the Auckland Zoo last March. She will be landed and taken to her new home at the zoo on Monday.

The leopard travelled on the bridge deck in a wooden box which was closed on three sides and had bars on the other. She was the charge of 'he ship’s fourth officer. Mr. R Woodhouse, of Manchester, who was responsible for her feeding and welfare. She had one meal a day. at 4.30 in the afternoon, which consisted of about 31b. of fresh meat. Mr. Woodhouse said that she was exceedinglv fastidious and would !ouch nothing but the choicest prime She also had a little water each day

This morning the leopard bit and mauled the hand of Mr. Woodhouse as he was feeding it. Mr. Woodhouse was taken to the casualty ward of the Auckland Hospital, but his injuries are re ported as not serious.

Also on board were two boxlo.ads of monkevs for the zoo and two honey bears for a private owner. The main diet for the monkeys during the trip consisted of sweet potatoes. maize, bananas and an occasional orange. Mr. Woodhouse said the ship had had a sack of ined’ble potatoes which were lo be dumped over the side but it was found that the monkeys preferred them to any other fare on board