JAMUNA'S REVENGE:

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18468, 3 August 1923, Page 10

JAMUNA'S REVENGE:

FRIGHT FOR TORMENTOR.; THE FESTIVE .SEA LION. ' fun; WITH A FOOTBALL. r Although playfully inclined ; and ; not above a prank when opportunity offers, Jamuna, Auckland's'elephant, is regarded by those who know her best as an affectionate beast, and very responsive to kindness. ' She delights to explore the pockets of her friends who, if they are not afraid, are welcome to pet her as much as they like.. But like all ; elephants, she does not forget those who torment her. Recently she repaid an injury and taught a young man a lesson he is not likely to for- ■ ger, in a hurry. ,; •..-'■;.: ; ; . : ;: ; -'.;;;'■,:■ ; This: individual had often been f-een about Jamuna's stall, and he had offered her something screwed up in paper—pepper it is 1 thought.' One. day he returned, and 'when he came olose to the doorway her trunk came out in a most : loving manner. .Gently, it encircled his neck, and thou, without warning, it gave a vigorous pull, which sharply rapped the man's head against the bar above the door. ' When last seen he was running out of the gate, and if he is wise he will keep away from the elephant in the future, for. according to Mr. L. T. Griffin, the , zoological adviser to the City Council, ele- ; phants have been known to remember v for years the faces of people who have hurt or annoyed them. In this case Jamuna was content to let her j man go after administering mild punishment. ' -;;'~■'■'•;' She was responsible for a piece of pure mischief during the voyage from India. When the vessel was loading ; at Saraarang coolies were on board, and Jamuna appeared to he enjoying the sights from her place on the. deck. At midday One.of,the coolies went to the galley to get the meal . for the gang, which comprised a kerosene tin of maize " pap " and a similar tin cf tea. With these on either end of a bamboo pole across*his shoulder he was hurry- . ing aft past Jamuna. She evinced a desire . to speak to him, but,he.paid no attention to her.. He passed her, but before the tin ■ of ;tea was ;. out of range of her;trunk 'she. . neatly tipped it up, and the liquid splashed . down "his back. ,- ~- ,;- ■'. , '.- , '.^ .': The officers who witnessed the incident were convulsed 'with!'■] laughter, :'not so much over tho plight of the tea-bathed Indian, but because of the pleased 3 look of the t elephant. , She had a naughty little twinkle in > her eye. ; One of the officers said he. was certain the animal was having a quiet laugh over her practical joke. : Ho added that the cOolies who lost the tea, for which; they had paid, did not see any humour in the incident for some time. Possibly Jamupa ■ disapproves of tea; as a beverage. Many elephants are very fond of a 1 drop of beer.;,',' ,;; ; .,'; '" The sea lion at the zoo, which has not yet received a suitable name, is enjoying life. She came from the Auckland Islands, but is quite satisfied. with,her,pond. She has become an enthusiast for water polo indeed, ij her ■ enthusiasm for the ; game is quite over the odds. As long as the football is -on the water - she splashes about with it, , and i reaches a pitch of excitement that; is usually,, confined to those who line the ropes. Ij • , ' ', . ; ! In consequence the officials have had to "ration" her polo. She is given the ball for an hour of thereabouts after each meal, which'is fish. Her antics recall a- playful kitten with » ball. , Although she uses her nose to throw; up the ball, art old ißugby player urged her the other; day to! : tuck the ball under a flipper; and "streak for-the line," but a "soccer" man re- ! torted that her instincts t were quite right. } The American bear is still very vigilant, in guarding her two young ,cubs from imaginary '■} dangers, but nothing unnecessary is ■ being done to disturb' her. % On ,a• former -\ occasion '■'. she ate her % young, .as bears' sometimes;do when ; - too much ?disturbed. It is to be hoped the cubs will survive the fierce affection of t the Spartan mother, because : ; young ? American : ; black bears would delight ; every person in Auckland. They, are the quaintest little teddies; imaginable, and grotesquely playful. -