2-981-977 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Return of the Prince of Wales from India: Life on Board the Serapis - Tiger and Cheetals, from a sketch by an officer of the Serapis, 1876. 'There were three Indian tigers on board, which were usually kept in cages, but were sometimes led about with a chain by their native keeper. They were, indeed, mere half-grown cubs; the one shown in our Illustration was eight months old. Some tame spotted deer, of the "cheetal" species, were allowed to run loose about the decks; and it was curious to see how eagerly the young carnivorous beasts watched them and strove to get near them'. The future King Edward VII spent several months in India and Nepal, during which time he went tiger hunting. On his first day alone he shot six tigers. Some of the orphaned cubs were brought to England and installed in the newly built Lion House at London Zoo. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.