Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1899 — Restless Animals. [ARTICLE]

Restless Animals.

When you see the animals in the park menageries pacing back and forth restlessly in their cages do not take it for granted that the creatures are unhappy or even discontented. It may be that the lion or the tiger or the polar bear that moves about with apparently ceaseless activity is only taking his daily exercise, without which he would pine and die soon. When the wild creatures are in their native jungles they are kept busy hunting food, each day they walk many miles, perhaps. In their narrow cages in the parks they are plentifully supplied with food, but their brawny bodies still demand a great amount of exercise. Mile after mile is paced off daily by the uneasy creatures. Usually they move with a long, swinging stride, but when meal time comes around then the step quickens until, when the keeper appears with his baskets of meat, the tigers and lions and other animals leap against their bars and growl and whine and lash their tails. In fact, they act like great, hungry boys do after a long day’s tramp if they find that supper is later.