Taming A Lion.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 May 1911, Page 4

Taming A Lion.

B A D-TEMPTCR ED YDFNGSTEH. KILLS VAjIuTbLE POXY. A valuable trick pony was killed at Wirfch's Circus, Sydney, early on Sunday morning by "Sonny," a three-year-old lion. Wiho was experiencing his first lesson in how performing lions should" behave from M.ons. Marco, the animal trainer. "Sonny" was born on the steamer Marama en.route to New Zealand. His sire was an African and' his mother a Nubian ani/mal. It is this crossing of the breeds, according to Mon-s. Marco, which accounts for "Sonny's" fierce temper and general intractableness. First, the young lion's sire and another lioness and "Sonny" wevp thrust into a.n enclosed ring. Then followed a trick |x>ny, two big Danish boarhounds, and a Hungarian collie. For about linlf an hour the yojing lion was obedience pensonified", 'ind at the .command of Marco followed the other animals in the mixed hurdling and jumping act. "Sonny" had just leaped one of the ih'nrdles, and the little trick mare followed him. As she sprang into the air the lion, with a deep throaty roar, turned quick as a flash, sprang at her, and knocked her down, with one powerful blow of his paw.' The next instant he had buried his fangs in her neck. The poor little animal screamed in he-r agony, but could not extricate herself from the terrible grip. The attendants and Moms. Marco at last managed to heat off the lion with whips and iron bars, whereupon the pony got to her feet and staggered out of the ring. She was dragged outside the tent and shot. The young lion was as quickly as possible got back into ibis cage. After some little time he cooled down, but was still in a bad temper when the trained tried to make a fresh start. The other two lions obediently jumped into the ring, but (t Sonny" i-efused to follow. The lioness was then nut back into "Sonny's" cage in the hope that he would follow her out. He refused'. She then jumped back into the cage, and must have brushed against the young lion, who bore her to the ground, and bit her on the neck. The other lion then joined in the fray, and by superior weight backed him into a corner. Eventually "Sonny" was got into his own cflige, and taken away. "Sonny" has for the last two years been an inmate of the Melborne Zoo, and has only recently returned to circus life. When a cub Tie used to be a great favonyite with Mrs Wirtb, whose custom it was to nurse him.