PANTHER’S LAIR.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1923, Page 4

PANTHER’S LAIR.

i:xc triNc; hunt in Indian PALACE GARDEN. BOMBAY, March 21. Two strange incidents of a similar nature, that fortunately did not end in the loss of human life, arc reported from Bombay.

A few days ago a dog was carried away from one of the palaces at Nandod, the capital of Rajpipla State, in the early hours of the morning, and at dawn a small portion of its mangled body was found in the palace garden. Soon after this discovery the gardeners were greatly scared to come across a panther. Tlie Maharajah was informed, and he immediately made up a shooting party with his guests, who included Captains Ail'd and Byron, of the Governor's staff. The shooting party climbed on to the roofs of summer houses and nurseries in the garden, ar.d a beat was made to drive the beast from its shelter. Eventually a whole family of panthers, consisting of a very big-sized pair, and a full-grown cub, turned out and after a most exciting chase all were accounted for. Captain Byron bagging two and Captain Ail'd owe. 1 his is the first time in history that panthers not only strayed into such a populated place, but took shelter in the palace. A vast crowd, unconscious < I themselves, cc.llcited in and around the garden and made shooting very difficult.

A cnncspomlent of the “Pioneer" writes that a leopard was discovered hiding under a house in Mended i.v in a crowded quarter of the city. 11 is

over ten years since a leopard penetrated into Mandalay. Fairly common in the thick jungle which abounds in every part of Ijurnnih. they usually confine their operations to the cattle of tlie villagers' in the vicinity.

.A large shouting crowd pelted the leopard with stones and every other sort of missile, and before the cornered animal could charge its assailants Mr Rees, of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, shot it dead. One theory advanced in explanation of the leopard’s appearance in Mandalay is that it crept aboard one of the Flotilla’s fuel steamers which lie up alongside the bank at night, and was thus can ied to Mandalay.

The incident is reminiscent of the teat of a big tigress which, some years aim. was shot after it bad climbed up about 100 ft of the Khiva Dagen Pagoda at Rangoon.—Reuter.