CARE OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS — WALKER 317 



in capturing and transferring animals. The use of such a net elimi- 

 nates the need of grasping the animal ; and, when yielding materials 

 such as cloth are used, the animals do not ordinarily hurt themselves 

 by struggling violently. 



Often a slow approach, best accompanied with gentle, slow-spoken 

 tones, will reassure the animal, and it can then sometimes be picked 

 up without danger of injury to itself or to its captor. 



One should never grab an animal suddenly by the tail, wings, or 

 legs. Almost invariably the animal will make a sudden start, and 

 the tail feathers of birds may be pulled out or the skin of the tail 

 of mammals may be stripped off the bone. If the wings or legs are 

 clumsily grabbed, the long bones may be broken or dislocated. 



Wlien animals are to be liberated in a new cage or new enclosure, 

 it is good practice to hang burlap or other material that appears as 

 a definite obstacle in front of the glass or wire, so that the animal 

 enters a place of subdued light and can see that it is enclosed. It 

 is then less likely to dash into the glass or wires of the cage or fence. 

 The box or shipping crate in which it was transferred to the new 

 quarters can often be placed inside the new cage or at the entrance 

 of the cage and left there for a time. The animal is thus permitted 

 to choose its oAvn opportunity to go into the new quarters, and is 

 thus less likely to make a sudden dash and suffer injury. 



When large animals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and other 

 hoofed animals, are liberated from their shipping or shifting crates 

 into their paddocks or cage rooms, it is well to place the crate so 

 that they back out of it into the new quarters. This will often 

 prevent a sudden charge out of the crate that might result 

 disastrously. 



To one not accustomed to working with a wide variety of animals, 

 it is inconceivable the number of difficult situations that can arise. 

 Animals have an abundance of time, are often energetic, can get 

 into many predicaments, some of which may be fatal to themselves, 

 or at other times, may be merely annoying or embarrassing to the 

 captor. Careful thought will go far toward avoiding such unhappy 

 incidents. 



Practically all animals are much quieter when being shipped if 

 they are screened from the view of the public. Burlap or other 

 more or less porous material placed around or in front of the prin- 

 cipal opening of the cage helps to make them feel secluded. Such 

 material cannot be used if the animal is able to get its paws or hands 

 out through the openings. In this event, small-mesh wire fabric 

 through which the captives cannot put their hands or paws should 

 be placed before the openings in the case or crate, and then the cloth 

 material placed beyond it at a distance of a few inches, so that it 



