LEOPARD AT LARGE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

LEOPARD AT LARGE

Panic Spread Through Devon Countryside

"Leopard til large!”—motor-cycle despa I eli-riders carried this warning to remote Devonshire villages: it was flashed on cinema screens: it went out over every telephone line; police patrolled the streets, clearing them of children.

A leopard had mauled its keeper al Hie Torbay Zoological Gardens, Primley Hill, and dashed for freedom. Shortly before midnight the beast was reported to have been seen at Goodriugton, a mile along the coast from Paignton.

The leopard attacked its keeper, 67-years-old Jack Hawkins, of Elm ParkRoad. Paignton, in its cage, bounded through the door, and made off across the fields. Hawkins was taken to hospital with severe wounds to his face and one arm.

Tlie zoo from which the leopard escaped occupied about 10 acres of the estate of Mr. Herbert Whitley, a wealthy scientist, whose collection of foreign birds ran into thousands. Mothers hurriedly called in their children; fathers armed themselves with whatever weapon lay handy; village shops were deserted ; farmers and poultry-breeders locked up their stock and mounted guard. Torches gleamed in the darkness as the banters stumbled over fields in the heavy rain, peering into thickets, pushing aside branches in plantations and coppices. (Ju Hie roads patrols of the A.A. ami R.A.C. warned motorists. In the town, civilian volunteers went on patrol. Motorists joined iu the hunt,

using their beadlamps as searchlights. Officers went through the lists of well-known rifle shots, and rifles were issued from Paignton Town Hall. It was arranged that more search parties should go out led by Mr. J. Maunder, of Collaton, and experienced big-game hunter.

Police Superintendent Milford broadcast a warning to the public to stay indoors as fur as possible till the leopard was found.

The leopard was eventually shot by Major Simon Yorke, commander of the local Anti-Aircraft Brigade. As a trophy, Mr. Herbert Whitley, owner of the zoo, presented the beast’s skin lo the major.

The leopard had celebrated his second night of freedom by killing six St. Hilda sheep—rare specimens which were also Inmates of the zoo.

Zoo-keepers, who had been on duty ever since he got away, gave the alarm. A cordon of police, under Inspector Hutchings, and volunteers strung themselves out in a long line of beaters. “We were directed by Inspector Hutchings,” Major Yorke related afterwards. “As each man came to some likely undergrowth, he had to lie down to peer through it properly. "I came to one bush, and upon lying down I saw something move. At first I thought it was a rabbit, but then I saw the leopard's tail twitching angrily.

"He fell to the first shot. His bead slumped, but I put iu another shot, which entered his neck, just to make certain.”