WHY GIRAFFES ARE COSTLY.

North Otago Times, 1 November 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

WHY GIRAFFES ARE COSTLY.

The different methods by which wild animals are captured are interesting. Lions are generally caught by being tempted to thrust their heads through nooses of strong cords composed of twisted hides, pieces of meat are used for bait, but frequently the hunters liavo many days of hard chasing before the lion can he.persuaded to try the.noose. When he does, the cords arc pulled quickly around his throat, almost choking him, and other stout cords aro bound about his legs. Tigers are more savage than lions, and can rarely be caught when full grown. Recruiting is accordingly carried on among the cubs, the parent tigers being killed, and the young, left without protectors, being easily caught. Perhaps the most difficult of all wild animals to capture is the giraflel which, besides being very rare, is exceedingly timid and very swiftfooted. There is no special way to capturo 'a giraffe, as almost 'every way has been tried, and all have been almost equally unsuccessful. The method which has occasionally resulted in a capture is by using a long cord, at . each end of which is a round weight. This cord is thrown by the hunter in such a manner as to wind about tho animal's legs, either bringing it to the ground or rendering it incapable of escaping i before it is made a prisoner. Most of the giraffes in captivity have been caught by chance when young,