A Bear-keeper's Peril.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 August 1914, Page 8

A Bear-keeper's Peril.

A keeper named James Murray had a thrilling escape at the Zoological Gardens, Philadelphia, some years ago, while cleaning the cage. of the polar bear. This cage, which stands by itself near the south-east entrance, is built jof strong iron bars and is about 20ft. in diameter, with a stone den at the back and a tank in the centre, large enough foi the bear to roll in. The iron bars slope inward at the top, and form a roof eight feet above the floor, with a circular opening 3ft. in diameter over the tank.

As is usual when the cage is to be cleaned, Murray drove the bear into his den and closed the iron grat' ing between that and the cage. He then entered, closed and fastened the door, and was playing water from a hose into the den, when, with a ferocious growl, the bear threw himself against the grating, which gave way, and Bruin rushed upon the keeper.

Murray saw at a glance that tbere was only one hope of escape, for he was securely fastened in with a brute that was intent upon his destruction, and was quite capable of the task. There was nobody within sight or hearing. Dropping his hose, the keeper sprang across the tank and climbed the smooth bars on the opposite side of the cage. He reached the top before the bear had time to follow him, but the imprisoned man realised that it afforded no place of refuge, for the animal could easily catch him there by rearing- on its haunches. He then made a perilous overhead journey along the top by clinging to the under side of the sloping bars until he reached the opening in the rentre. Fortunately, Murray succeeded in gaining the aperture and hauling himself up to safety without a scratch.