OLDEST JAGUAR IN CAPTIVITY?

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 23

OLDEST JAGUAR IN CAPTIVITY?

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, July 18. Bobby the jaguar is the oldest animal at the Auckland Zoe and he may being the oldest jaguar in captivity. Mr D. Wood, the zoo director, said the oldest captive jaguar on record was at the Rotterdam Zoo, Holland. It was 23. The Auckland Zoo has no exact record of Bobby’s age. “But from his appearance and the memories of some of the older zoo staff it seems he is older than the Rotterdam jaguar,” said Mr Wood. Bobby is feeling his age, especially in the winter, as he has rheumatism. He was recently transferred from his quarters next to the tiger’s cage to one of the chimpanzee dens. The chimpanzee den Is heated to 80 degrees and the extra warmth provides relief for old Bobby’s aches. The den is flat so he does not have to do any climbing. “He is not showing any signs of regaining his mobility,” said Mr Wood. “But

we know he is comfortable and has a better appetite now.” Bobby is probably more comfortable than the chimpanzees in the adjacent den. With frequent cries of protest they have indicated that they know their neighbour is not one of their compatriots.