A BEAR FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 4

A BEAR FIGHT

LONDON, .May 2. A thrilling and long-drawn-out battle was fought in the bears’ den at the Zoo just before hmeheon yesterday. The trouble arose out of a tin of condensed milk—which is a special delicacy with all hears. A visitor, having punched holes in the tin to allow the contents to leak out, threw it among the four bears which occupied the cage. Almost at once a light began, and a Malay bear was challenged by a bigger black bear, but refused to be intimidated. At first the light was confined to the usual exchange of blows with forepaws, but very quickly became hotter. For twenty minutes the fighting animals strove with might and main, and the growling and moaning grew louder while an excited crowd watched. LOCKED JAWS.

Towards the end of the light the bears locked jaws with cadi other. Then the black hear shifted his grip to the throat of his smaller enemy, and the battle was soon finished. After a few convulsive movements the Malay bear lay still. It was, however, a stillness of discretion and not of death—the defeated animal was officially inspected last night and seemed to be little the worse. While the fight was in progress the other two hears looked on from as safe a distance ns they could find. The crowd of visitors watched the battle fascinated, although most of the onlookers were greatly agitated. Tt was impossible, of course, for anyone to enter the cage and separate the enraged animals. Such fights are extremely rare in the Zoological Gardens, for the temperaments of the animals which share cages are closely watched until the occupants settle down.

The provocation of one tin of condensed milk between two determined bears was too much for their usual toleration of each other.