ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



475 



THE CHUTE AT THE ANTELOPE HOUSE. 

 The keepers are just securing the door of the shifting crate behind the captured "hippo. 



The sliding door of the huge crate was raised, 

 the floor of it was covered with straw and a 

 bountiful supply of tempt- 

 ing vegetable food was placed 

 in the extreme end. A fast 

 of twelve hours gave to these 

 preparations an air so invit- 

 ing that "Pete" seemed 

 eager to do his part. 



All being ready, "Pete" 

 awaited no invitation to en- 

 ter. He started precipitate- 

 ly, entered with some cau- 

 tion, elongated himself tre- 

 mendously and took a 

 mouthful of food. The men 

 were anxious to drop the 

 rear door, but as eighteen 

 inches of "hippo" remained 

 outside, there was no way to 

 do this. The "hippo" se- 

 cured the food, and backed 

 out. The crate seemed too 

 short ; and carpenters were 



summoned to add two feet. arrivai 



making a total of twelve feet. The door of , he srate 



The "hippo" regarded 

 these activities with suspi- 

 cion, and after that the 

 food tempted him only to 

 the extent of hastily secur- 

 ing a mouthful from the 

 crate and backing out to 

 devour it. The attempts to 

 rush him in were savagely 

 repulsed. Next in order 

 the crate was placed in the 

 open doors leading out to 

 the yards, and an attempt 

 made to rope "Pete" and 

 drag him into it. The 

 roundness of his body and 

 limbs, and the smoothness 

 of his skin made it impossi- 

 ble to hold him with a large 

 rope, and a small one could 

 not be used, for fear of in- 

 juring the animal. 



At this point the Director 

 decided that it would be 

 necessary to build a chute, 

 and therewith force the 

 Hippo into the crate; but 

 the keepers asked permission 

 to try their strategy. 



During the following 



week, on each successive 



night, by alternate starving 



and coaxing, the keepers tried in vain to trap 



him. Even though he was enticed into the crate 



OF THE "HIPPO" AT THE ELEPHANT HOUSE, 

 was lifted and the animal walked into the stall without delay. 



