48 



WILD LIFE PROTECTION FUND 



to make some atonement for that slaughter by establish- 

 ing herds of bison in fenced ranges, in order to save the 

 species to posterity by breeding in captivity. All this is 

 based on sentiment only, for there is no effort to produce 

 cash profits. 



These efforts have been very successful, and so many 

 bison have been bred that the species is now safe from 

 extinction. As a wild animal, however, only two small 

 bands remain, both carefully protected at all times. 



SOUTH AFRICA : The Q-uagga and Blaubok. 



We will not attempt to write for the people of South 

 Africa the sad history of the total extermination of the 

 two fine species named above. The Quagga, most inter- 

 esting of all the horse-like animals of Africa, and once 

 very abundant throughout Cape Colony and Natal, totally 

 disappeared about fifty years ago, and what is worse, only 

 eighteen mounted specimens are to be found in all the 

 museums of the world. It was slaughtered by sportsmen 

 as "game," and by the Dutch and British farmers. 



The Blaubok, or Bluebok, was a big antelope that re- 

 sembled the roan antelope of today. This fine species 

 totally disappeared in 1800, and so quickly was it de- 

 stroyed (by the farmers of Cape Colony) that the world 

 did not know it was in danger until it had gone! Only 

 eight mounted specimens are in existence, all of them in 

 Europe, where few of the people of Africa ever will see 

 them. 



SOUTH AFRICA'S ANIMALS TODAY. 



And now, what shall we say to the people of South 

 Africa regarding their wild animals that now are on the 

 brink of extermination? We know that already many gal- 

 lant and patriotic land-owners have put forth fine ef- 

 forts, and have already accomplished much, for the saving 



