ENCOUNTER WITH TWO HYǼNAS AT MANDERS’ MENAGERIE.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 76, 15 June 1868, Page 144

ENCOUNTER WITH TWO HYǼNAS AT MANDERS’ MENAGERIE.

(Prom the Sun.) Manders’ Grand Sensational : Star Menagerie has . within the last two years been the arena of several sensational affairs, none of which, however, can be compared with the circumstance now under notice for the almost tragic incidents connected with it. It is generally supposed'that hyaenas are untameable. - Mr Manders, while on the Continent, some twelve or fourteen months ago, purchased a fine pair of striped hyaenas, which he placed in his menagerie under the care of a keeper named Stephen Lawrence. It appears that Lawrence on one occasion was feeding the animals when one of them got a piece of bone fast in its throat. [A. number of expedients were tried from the exterior of the den to dislodge the bone from the hyaena’s mouth, but as the animal retreated to the extreme end of the cage it was found impossible to accomplish the desired object. Thinking no doubt that Mr Manders would feel much annoyed at the loss of a valuable animal under such circumstances, Lawrence opened the door of the cage and stepped, in.. Seizing the hyaena by the nape of the neck with one hand, the keeper courageously drew out the the bone from the animal’s throat with the other hand; and as neither of the hyaenas appeared to consider this invasion of their den impertinent, Lawrence has ever. since been in the habit of frequently entering the cage, and has even trained bothj the hyaenas to go through a variety of performances. While the . menagerie was at Goggleshall, Essex, a few days ago, Lawrence, as usual, entered the deh, and, in the presence of a large number of spectators, exhibited the hyaenas. After putting them through their accustomed exercises, Lawrence was about to leave the cage, and turned his back upon the hyaenas in order to unfasten the spring of the ’door. While occupied in doing this one of animals seized Lawrence by the'calf of the left leg, while the other attempted to get bold of his thigh. Lawrence had only a small cane in his hand at the time, but one of the spectators quickly gave the keeper a thick stick heavily loaded with lead at one end. With this weapon Lawrence belabored the animals, which, however, still held fast—the second hyaena in the meantime having the keeper’s right leg. As may well be imagined the circumstance caused a panic among the spectators, who began to rush out of the menagerie. Mr. Manders, who was

taking money at the doors; seeing the visitors retreating in great alarm, was soon in possession of the facts of the case, and at once proceeded to Lawrence’s assistance. By the time; Mr Manders had pushed his way' through the excited crowd, the hyaenas had got the.keeper down on the floor of the den, and had begun to. worry the poor fellow, who was now bleeding.profusely from, both legs, but luckily was unhurt in both arms and hands. Mr Manders shouted to Lawrence to use his stick freely, and to “keep up his heart” for assistance was at hand. A . tent-pole was procured, at the end of which a butcher’s knife was securely lashed, and the formidable looking instrument was inserted under the “locking bars” of the den by Mr Manders. - Watching his opportunity, that gentleman thrust the knife into the hind-quarters of one of the hyaenas, which released its hold of Lawrence,and rushed tb one comer of the deni yelling; hideously. Great caution > had to be -used, as in consequence of the criticapposition of, Lawrence, it was feared he might be’ wounded with the; knifes At length Mr-Mainders succeeded in planting the blade .. in ‘ the ; shoulder; , of th ehy aena,, whichCs till hold hold; of the shoulder of the keeper, and that Unimal soon followed its companion into the corner of the deni 1 their- united ' yells being somewhat terrific:? The door of the cage 1 was then and; Lawrence' was quickly out. .Mr Madders keeping ;thehyaenas at ; bay; The keeper’s wounds were found tb .be ticipated;; •t'-:, \? j-