General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 12

General News

Gazelle Destroyed at Zoo. Having accidentally broken its leg, the only gazelle at the Auckland Zoo has had to be destroyed. It was one of the daintiest and most timid of animals, a (Dorcas gazelle from North Africa, and had been about four months at the zoo. It was purchased frm the Toronga Park Zoo. Sydney’ and during its captivity in Auckland was always exceedingly nervous and shy. The accident happened when the little animal escaped from its pen into an outer enclosure and dashed frantically into some wire-netting. One leg became entangled and its struggles were so violent that the foreleg broke just above the fetlock. Keepers gave the animal the best attention, but their work was made difficult on account, of its excitable disposition. An examination proved that it would be useless to attempt to heal the fracture with splints. The gazelle would not have given the leg sufficient rest to allow the bone to set, and if the animal had been placed in n sling it would not have remained quiel, Reluctantly an order was given for the gazelle to be destroyed. Repairs to Warships. The biennial relit of 11.M.5. Dunedin, flagship of Rear-Admiral F. Burgos Watson, is now in full swing at the Devonport naval base. Repairs have been carried out to the defect in the “A bracket” supporting the starboard propeller tailshaft of H.M.S. Diomede, which at present is in Calliope Dock for cleaning and inspection, and the cruiser will emerge spick and span to-day preparatory to her southern cruise. Her place in the dock wil' be taken by H.M.S. Laburnum, the Imperial sloop, which will be overhauled for a final voyage to England, where she will be broken up, states the New Zealand Herald, The Dunedin’s refit was put in hand two weeks ago, about JOO civilians as well as the naval base staff being employed on the work. Engineers, shipwrights, and ordnance men are busily engaged in the refit, which probably will be completed al the end of March. The Dunedin is at present at the jetty, but she will enter dry dock in the middle of this mon'th. An examination by two divers of the propeller shafts which were repaired at the beginning of the year indicated that everything was in order, althougs it is possible that defects will be discovered when the vessel enters the dock.

Captives for the Zoo. A large consignment of animals and birds for the Auckland Zoo was brought by the steamer Querimba, which arrived at Auckland from Calcutta last Wednesday, states the New Zealand Herald. The shipment came from the AHpore Zoo, Calcutta, and the journey occupied nearly seven weeks. In spite of climatic changes, the animals and birds arrived in good condition. They were unloaded from the Querimba in the morning and taken to the zoo, where pens and cages had been already prepared for them. The shipment comprised one pair of leopards and one pair of striped hyenas. They travelled in separate cages and were well looked after on the vesel. The male leopard became fairly tame, and would allow his head to be scratched, but at the same time a paw would be thrust through the bars in case the unwary came within striking distance. There, were no signs of seasickness among the animals. A variety of birds was shipped from the AHpore Zoo. They consisted of 16 bulbuls in two varieties, 14 blossom headed parakeets, of whom six died during the voyage, four demoiselle cranes, and two adjutant storks. The cages in which the adjutant stork* were placed proved rather small, and the large, ungainly oirds found difficulty in eating. It is necessary for them to swadow with their necks erect, hut on board they were forced to accustom themselves to a lower position.