WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



its legs, wh-ich seemed almost useless ; it sprawled about 

 and made many unsuccessful attempts to raise itself, 

 rolling over and over and again struggling to rise. In 

 about an hour afterwards, with a little assistance to steady 

 it, it got fairly up. It stood about, and, stretching out its 

 long neck, smelt at ever3rfching within reach ; it then 

 staggered about and soon flopped down again apparently 

 fatigued. After resting awhile it gathered up its legs, 

 and sitting up, looked around, and in about halfran-hour 

 began again to attempt to stand, getting up this time 

 unaided, but still very tottery on its feet. 



The gentle and tender care exhibited by this animal 

 towards its young deserves noting. Her constant watch- 

 fulness and kindness are to be observed for a long period 

 after the young one's birth. I have frequently seen the 

 mother approach the young one while it sat upon the 

 ground, and with her long legs step over it, then, gently 

 raising her front foot, draw it backwards in order to cause 

 the young one to rise. Having placed herself in a position 

 to allow it to suck, the motion of the front foot is repeated, 

 delicately touching the young one until it rises. 



In captivity this animal is generally regarded as difficult 

 and always dangerous to keep. My experiences, however, 

 lead me to the opposite conclusion, for since the year 

 1838 or 1839 to the year 1867 it has been bred and 

 successfully reared in these Gardens. It is quite true 

 that it is liable to accidents; its great size and stupid 

 behaviour render it necessary to be very watchful and 

 careful on the part of those in charge of them in order to 

 prevent accident, for if by any possibility it can find a 

 chance to hurt itself it appears to take advantage of it 

 immediately, many instances of this kind having occurred. 

 I have related a few as a means of safeguard in the 

 future. 



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