12 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



good deal upon mere lust of slaughter, coupled with the 

 appreciation of the pecuniary value of the animals them- 

 selves. " The pioneers of civilisation are generally 

 pushing, forceful men, with strongly developed indi- 

 vidualism, not always very far-sighted, but unscrupulous 

 in sweeping out of their path all apparent obstacles to 

 immediate success, as well as determined to turn to their 

 advantage all the assets of the new country, so far as in 

 their power lies." * Obviously the wild fauna of the latter 

 is one of the first things that tempts the desire for gain. 



CHAPTER II 



THE ELEPHANT : HYRAXES OR DASSIES 



THE ELEPHANT. Whether the African elephant will ever 

 become a useful domestic animal like his Asiatic cousin, 

 appears at present doubtful. It cannot be said that any 

 very extensive trials of his ability to serve man have, up 

 to now, been made, and, indeed, it is only within the 

 last few years that he has excited any interest at all, 

 beyond that which he rouses as a provider of ivory for 

 the market, and sport for the hunter. 



Since African game preservation has assumed practical 

 shape, however, the elephant has received his share of 

 attention in common with the zebra and the eland 

 as a possible domestic animal, and it has been felt that 

 in view of his rapid decrease all over the continent, any 

 proposed experiments should not be too long delayed. 

 The authorities of the Congo Free State were the first to 

 carry their ideas into practice, and for the last five or 

 six j^ears a station for the capture and domestication of 

 elephants has been established at Agri on the River Welle. 



* Theodore Roosevelt. 



