LOST CHIMPANZEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1941, Page 6

LOST CHIMPANZEES

PERFORMING ANIMALS STRANDED. GERMAN OWNER INTERNED. This is the story of two stranded chimpanzees, stranded because of the tvar, but who didn’t like being interned. Their owner and trainer was interned in South Africa and he is the only man who knows how to handle or control them. Now they are at the Johannesburg Zoo, two refugees, who, having spent years among humans, have had to go back to the animal kingdom. The director of the Zoo has not by any means welcomed these chimpanzees who have been taught to imitate the actions and behaviour of men. He told the “Sunday Times” that they had been entrusted to him by the police. He would be glad to get rid of them soon. Having been trained by a German, they understood only German words of command—and they were not likely to hear German at the Zoo.

The two chimps are pining; they always pine when they are separated from their owner, who has had them in his keep for years. They used to perform at Pagel's Circus, doing an exceedingly clever monkey act, but they were removed from the circus about, a month ago, their owner and trainer considering that they needed a rest. All temperamental artists need a rest now and then, and these two chimpanzees are both artists and temperamental.

One morning life became impossible for them. By some manner of means they escaped from the Zoo. They got as far as Upper Park Drive when their professional instincts took possession of them. In the circus they played the parts of waiter and diner in a restaurant.

Reaching the road they found the house of Mr. Harold Ketelbey, the famous violinist. Looking through the window the two chimps saw the table laid for breakfast. Here was home at last. They entered the din-ing-room and tried to do their act. Mr. Ketelbey found them there and a scene followed reminiscent of the Marx Brothers at their best.

The chimps clambered over the table, jumped on the sideboard, swung from the pictures and created general chaos. Eventually they left by the window and were captured in the road outside.

In their act, one would play the waiter and the other a diner in a restaurant. The diner would ring and the waiter would bring him a bottle of beer. But, being extraordinarily intelligent, they would introduce unconventional and impromptu touches. The waiter would rarely place the bottle of beer on the table, without taking a swig at it himself. Then they had a bicycle and balancing act. They were extremely dexterous with the bicycles, as well as with three, balls with which they would juggle. If one of them dropped a ball it would put his arm round the trainer and ask his forgiveness. ; Tn the ring, the two chimps were I good-humour itself; but away from the sawdust, they could be extremely badtempered. and only their owner could ! exercise a proper control over them, i

That is wliy. when lie was interned, they had to be removed to the Zoo, where their tempers are not likely to improve.