TRAGEDY AT THE "ZOO."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 October 1908, Page 8

TRAGEDY AT THE "ZOO."

A GUDGEON'S FIVE-DAYS' FIGHT. FOR LIFE. Tho story of a plucky littlo gudgeon's fivedays' fight for life comes from the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park, London. The gudgeon was placed in a tank as food for two salmon. Missed .it tho salmon's first rush, the i: telligont little fish dashed behind a pipe half an inch from tho right side of the tank, vhere its bigger enemies could not squeezo tbem-solt-oc. Knrtl'T. the ingenious little fish lipended itself till it was practically standing on its tail, in which position it was completely Srotected at all points, though tho salmon ashed at it incessantly. It got quite daring on Sunday morning, August 16—tho fifth day of tho unequal fight. It wagged its tail and peered round the pipe, dodging back into safety when tho frenzied salmon damaged their noses against its fortress. There was none to soothe its last moments that quiet Sabbath evening, save the salmon. Tho keeper, unable to stand the strain and powerless to help, had turned away to look at tho penguins. When he returned tho gudgeon was 2011 c! It is suggested that it becamo " foot-sore " through standing on its tail for five days and nights, and was caught by tho big salmon while trying to obtain relief by standing on its head, but tho real truth will never bo known.