OF WILD ANIMALS 15 



A characteristic temperament may embrace the majority 

 of a whole species, or be limited to a few individuals. Many 

 species are permanently characterized by the temperament 

 common to the majority of their individual members. Thus, 

 among the great apes the gorilla species is either morose or 

 lymphatic; and it is manifested by persistent inactivity and 

 sullenness. This leads to loss of appetite, indigestion, inac- 

 tivity and early death. Major Penny's "John Gorilla" was a 

 notable exception, as will appear in Chapter IX. 



The orang-utan is sanguine, optimistic and cheerful, a good 

 boarder, affectionate toward his keepers, and friendly toward 

 strangers. He eats well, enjoys life, lives long, and is well 

 liked by everybody. 



Except when quite young, the chimpanzee is either nervous 

 or hysterical. After six years of age it is irritable and difficult 

 to manage. After seven years of age (puberty) it is rough, domi- 

 neering and dangerous. The male is given to shouting, yell- 

 ing, shrieking and roaring, and when quite angry rages like a 

 demon. I know of no wild animal that is more dangerous per 

 pound than a male chimpanzee over eight years of age. When 

 young they do wonders in trained performances, but when 

 they reach maturity, grow big of arm and shoulder, and 

 masterfully strong, they quickly become conscious of their 

 strength. It is then that performing chimpanzees become 

 unruly, fly into sudden fits of temper, their back hair bristles 

 up, they stamp violently, and sometimes leap into a terrorized 

 orchestra. Next in order, they are retired willy-nilly from the 

 stage, and are offered for sale to zoological parks and gardens 

 having facilities for confinement and control. 



The baboons are characteristically fierce and aggressive, 

 and in a wild state they live in troops, or even in herds of hun- 

 dreds. Being armed with powerful canine teeth and wolf-like 

 jaws, they are formidable antagonists, and other animals do 

 not dare to attack them. It is because of their natural weapons, 

 their readiness to fight like fiends, and their combined agility 



