Operation on a Lion.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 362, 24 April 1889, Page 3

Operation on a Lion.

The fine lion Jupiter, at the Clifton Zoological Gardens, Bristol, which is nearly eleven years old, having been cubbed in the gardens in the year 1878, was noticed last week to have a claw on the left fore-paw growing into the flesh of its foot, which was gradually laming the animal. The lion was evidently in pain, and it was doemed advisable to remove the claw. The novel operation was performed on Saturday morning, when a close travelling cage was introduced into the den, and placed against one of the sliding traps in the partition. The animal having been induced to enter the cage, it was remored to the floor of the building, and another cage, buo of different construction, com posed solely of iron bars, placed endways to the door of the first cage, and the two firmly lashed together. After some little trouble the animal was got into the second cage, which was so narrow as not to admit of bis turning round' Heavy inch and a half planks were then inserted between the bars and thejion tightly wedged in. Up -to this point he had submitted quietly ; but on the introduction of the planks he splintered them up as easily as though they had been matchwood. At last he was firmly wedged in, and a little time waf given him to cool down. A favourable opportunity for the operation occurred in a few minutes, his paw being partly through the bars. The, head keeper, Bluneden, who was waiting with a powerful pair of nippers, seized the oopportunity, and the offending claw was -promptly removed. The operation, whick was conducted by Dr. Harrison, treasnrer, of the gardens, was absolutely nece3saiy, as the claw had already grown more than half an inch into the foot, and would probably have killed the animal.