MAN WHO FONDLES LIONS.

Western Star, 31 January 1922, Page 3

MAN WHO FONDLES LIONS.

BEASTS' DEEP AFFECTION,

COAXING AND KINDNESS USED i

Twenty-one years among lions and tigers is an experience which falls to the lot of a. few. Mr W. Hop-good, head-keeper of the lion section at the can claim this distinction.

More than once, when I have been in this privileged quarter I have come across 'a young lion cub roaming round in comparative liberty, searching for its guardian, writes a 'Daily Chronicle' /representative. That Mr Hopgood's charges know him I had ample testimony when I was introduced to a few of his fav-

ourites. With Abdullah, a line young, Jion already growing a mane, I was brought "face to face rather unexpectedly. "Abdullah," called Mr Hopgood, ■chawing aside an iron door at the rear of his cage, and the lion instantly appeared at the entrance. No bars intervened, .and the animal looked at me as though lie resented my appearance in his presence without a peak cap and silver buttons. The great beast at once began to •fondle Mr Hopgood!, kissing hmi affectionately on the face and placing a huge paw around his neck: N Receiving a piece of meat for his good conduct, Abdullah disappeared. —Rajah's Playfulness.—. ■ With Rajah, one of the largest and finest tigers ever seen at the Zoo. Mr Hcpgood took even greater liberties, the animal growing at his wrist and playing .with hi© hand without inflicting even a scratch though it could have bitten it through with ease- ' „ . • Polly, a Mack leopard, gave a similar exhibition of affection, but she is the first of her kind whom Mr Hopgood could trust. , "The most treacherous animals l have had to deal with are .the jaguar j and the .black panther," said the keeper. , "How do I tame them? Simply by coaxing; giving them; plenty of food and attention. Always take notice of an animal and never let ib get 'stale.' Whenever possible, I take tfte smaller ones out of their cage, so as to became more familiar with them." Another point commented on by .ur Hopcood supports, in a measure, travellers' tales as to a lion refusing •to attack if stared in the face. "If" you look into a lion's eyes you will find that he turns hi» head -and look* elsewhere, but what else it would do in a .wild state I cannot

say." Yir Hopgood can recall the time when for such operations as nailcu'tting a Hon or tiger had to■ Jfe lassdoedi and tied to the bars for the purpose.' Nowadays they are enticed Into the chloroform chamber and the trouble is attended to without danger or pain. "