STRANGE ZOO FRIENDSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 10

STRANGE ZOO FRIENDSHIP

A zoo sight which surprises thousands of the visitors is the spectacle of a lion (“Jack,” once called “Mary Pick ford ”) and tiger (“Teddy”) living in the same cage and not tearing each other to pieces. Host of visitors watch the strange sight fascinated—thinking, many of them, of the lion and the lamb (which had to ho renewed now and again), or the dashing young woman of Riga, who went for a ride on a tiger. It was still the same “Teddy” and the tamo “Jack” (still called “Mary,” it is shameful to confess) who dwell together in concord Neither wears a single scar. The happy companionship of the two was the result of an experiment. At first “Jack,” being a tiny cub, had a companion, another lion cub, named “Lokoja.” When little “Lokoja” died “Jack” was lonely, and so the lion house Russian cat., the indomitable “Rush,” was lent, to him as a playmate. “Rush,” however, bullied the lion cub till he daren’t call his soul his own, for “Rush's” claws were sharp and quick in action. “Teddy,” a new arrival, was put in to level matters up a little. “ Rush ”, promptly bullied the two of them, and chased them round the lion house yard So the terrible Little Cat was taken away and the two “ big eats” were left to grow up together in peace—as they have done for about three years. It is dm; ' to “Teddy's” unruffled good nature that they agree so well. H-s gives way willingly. “Jack” is good temepred, but greedy if food is about. Sometimes be even boxot “Teddy’s” ears. They rarely quarrel, however, and if tlmy do “Teddy” apologises to “Jack” nf once. If ‘“Jack” becomes rea'lv awkward, however. “Teddy” may remember tii.at be is a tiger—end a very fine tiger, too —and “Jaek” trill then be taught a rharp lesson.