A LION FARM

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3308, 30 March 1926, Page 6

A LION FARM

ANIMALS TRAINED FOR FILMSOne of the queerest and most profitable ..farLms in existence is to be found near Los Angelos, America’s Aim capital. Hero lions and lionesses are raised and trained for use at Ith' 1 various film studios at Hollywood o. for sale to zoological gardens ami circuses throughout the world. This unique farm was started sit; years ago by an almost penniless animal trainer from Europe. To-day the proprietor has a stock of 80 splendid lions, in addition to many which have been sold outright, and his business brings him a small fortune every year, for it meets a long-felt want.

Special humane methods of training lions are employed at the farm, anu a whip is never used. As a consequence the beasts are as tame as kittens. even when fully grown, and can be handled by the mos(c inexperienced kinema actors without danger. Tintrainer merely uses a little switch to control the animals, and teaenc.: them to have no fear of human b • ings.

The lions do not live in iron-barren cages, but roam freely inside enclosures (that are open to the sun anu air. The enclosures are surrounded by very strong wire netting, the bottom of which runs deeply ' into the earth and is turned to prevent any risk of digging out. Bordering the enclosures are shelters in which the lions sleep, and each animal has an individual compaijtment. When young lions ar e born tney are removed from their mothers and placed inside warm boxes In the sun. They are fed from a bottl e three times a day with goats’ milk, ana later they are allowed to have fresh eggs.

Each lion on the farm is given a special "pet” name, and is (taught to box, wrestle, and perform numerous tricks. When lions have been taking part in film scenes for some days ana show signs of fatigue, they are returned to the farm, where they recuperate amid their natural surroundings. They must oh no account; be handled two hours before ana after eating, as they are apt to lose their usual gentleness at these times.