146 NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



the expenses of a special attendant, all told, at not 

 less than £400 — probably £500 would be nearer the 

 mark; so that the Zoological Society may rest as- 

 sured that £500 for a single specimen landed here 

 leaves little or no margin of profit. If the Society 

 really desires to secure to its numerous visitors once 

 again the spectacle of several of these stately crea- 

 tures stalking placidly about the Regent's Park en- 

 closures, it should make up its mind to send out a 

 special expedition to Khama's country for the pur- 

 pose, or to combine with other kindred societies in 

 doing so. From present appearances more giraffes 

 than the two examples recently secured ^ are not 

 likely to be on offer in England or even Europe for 

 some time to come — perhaps for years; and it is 

 absolutely certain that as each month sees the un- 

 ceasing destruction of giraffes in Africa, the supply 

 cannot fail to become scarcer and more intermittent. 

 Time is assuredly of the essence in this matter. Even 

 in Khama's country these rare and beautiful crea- 

 tures become scarcer year by year ; while it is a fact, 

 that recently, within two seasons, in the country round 

 Lake Ngami alone, three hundred giraffes have 

 been slain solely for the value of their hides and 

 flesh. 



Probably for an outlay of from £1000 to £1500 



1 1 am supposing that the young«male, presented by Chief 

 Bathoen, safely reaches England. 



