“Haunted ’Roos”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 3

“Haunted ’Roos”

A ZOO GHOST LONDON, Jan. 9. This week’s annual stock-taking at the London Zoo, made difficult in the case of the kangaroos by the fact that some are carrying young in their pouches, recalled the curious affair of the haunted kangaroos. Until recently the kangaroos were accommodated in an enclosure adjacent to the small mammal house, which is presided over by Keeper Flewin, and there the colony lived in quiet contentment—until tho nightly hauntings began. One dark evening, after the gardens had been closed to the public, a frightful commotion broke out in the kangaroo enclosure and the animals were found in a state of panic. Night after night similar outbreaks occurred, until at last Keeper Flewin determined to lay the “ghost' 1 that must be causing the trouble. So one night he settled down to watch. lie expected a tedious wait, but as it happened it was not very long after darkness had fallen when a terrific din broke out in the kangaroo enclosure. Switching on a torch as he rushed forward, Mr Flewin was just in time to catch sight of the “ghost" and the mystery was explained. The guilty “spirit" was George the Wombat, whose cage adjoined the enclosure and who apparently fancied himself as a bogy. George had found that he could open the shutter of his cage by pushing it along on its runner with his claws. So every night he would do this and, barging in among his neighbours, would throw the whole colony into a panich. Now tho kangaroos aro enjoying a peaceful life in their new paddock and George has no one to annoy.