Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1896 — WILL RAISE ELEPHANTS. [ARTICLE]

WILL RAISE ELEPHANTS.

Novel and Extensive Enterprise Projected in California. I.ewis Fells, one of the proprietors o Forepangh & Felix Bros.’ Circus, owns 500 acres in Merced, Cal., and the firm is trying to obtain 500 more acres to add to them. Instead of raising fruit, says the Fau Francisco “Call," ihey wi’l raise animals. They have come to the conclusion that the climate of California is advantageous for that purpose and in view of that fact are endeavoring to get animals properly mated here. The firm has a man In England, George O. Fturr, engaged in securing animals, lie lias been an extensive traveler in South Africa, Fast India anil throughout tlic world, having made forty-two trips between America and Eiiroj>e. llis whole time is devoted to securing animals. The firm already has a big stock. First there is a pair of hippopotami. There arc two or three pairs of lions, of the African and Asiatic variety; there are fourleeu elephants, there are one pair of llamas, seven camels, all sorts of antelopes, leopards, one pair of tiuers (lfoyal Bengal \ one pair of zebras, one eland, one pair of nylghaus, seven kangaroos, and specimens of till kinds of wild animals. The elephants will he placed in a retreat representing as near as possible an AfricM jungle. 'They are the most secretive of all the auimals. There will be large cages built for the lious and tiger 1, the floors of which will be the ground, and in these cages there will be compartments made of trees aud tropical plants so that aside from the confinement of tlie grated cages the conditions will be almost identical with their native lairs. In a field inclosed by a sixteen-foot high fence will he the places for the elands, nylghaus, niger und other antelopes, nod in another the zebras, llamas and camels will lie raised where they will be broken to work in hupiess and to In ar packs similar to the work done by these animals in’their native country. it is expected that the camel ranch will he a mod profitable part of the enterprise. Camels breed in captivity even better than in their wild state, and will be invaluable for use in sections of tho country where water is scarce, und where It is impossible to drive mules, or where u railroad cannot he built. It is expected that the development of mining in the desert serih ns of this country will give employment to large numbers of camels, und the demand for them will be undoubtedly very great. A whole Hock of kangaroos will bo turned loose, and it will not be strange if within ten years California will become as noted for kangaroos as Australia is at this time. Tropical birds will be another feature. A large amphitheater will be erected, covered wllh glass, in which the birds will lie turned loose. A large artificial lake will he made, the water for which will he supplied from tho IlolTmuu-Urocker irrigating system, and the pair of hippopotami will be placed in it, where they will lie undisturbed for mouths at a time. over I,OuO acres of lan 1 will be used and natives will look after the work who understand the habits aud characteristics of the animals. It Is expected to supply the zoological gardens an I menageries of the entire world from this only zoological Bleeding ranch on earth, and it will hu the means of advertising California more than anything yet introduced Agents will Ini sent to every purt of the civilized world to represent this enterprise and t<> sell and train new animal*.