HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1970-04-02, Page 14PAGE FOURTEEN
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
LIONS, NOT MOOSE, ON THIS ONTARIO SAFARI - Lions roaming free in Ontario? That's right,
and four thriving cubs were born out in the snow last winter. You can drive through their domain
with safety when windows and doors are shut tight. The 450 -acre game farm which has 50 of the
tawny cats and 100 baboons is located just northeast of the city of Hamilton.
(photo by Ontario Dept. of Tourism and Information)
LION COUNTRY
During the next few months,
space permitting, the Citizens
News will be publishing photos
and stories of interesting places
and things to see in Ontario.
All the stories and photos are
supplied through the courtesy
of the Ontario Department of
Tourism and Information.
The pert young teacher scrup-
ulously counted heads as her
pupils lined up for the return
trip in their chartered bus. What
prompted the meticulous tally
was the fact that her moppets
had just visited a lion reserve
where 50 of the great cats roam
free.
The scene was not in South
Africa but in Ontario Lion
country --450 acres of farmland
on Highway 8, near Rockton,
Reception
and Dance
FOR
DOROTHY WAGNER
and
PAUL DUCHARME
(bridal couple)
ZURICH ARENA
Saturday, April 4
9 P.M.
Music by ...
THE BLUEWATER PLAYBOYS
EVERYONE WELCOME
between Hamilton and Galt in
this Canadian province's scenic
southwest.
Just opened last August 22,
the African Lion Safari and
Game Farm got off to what
might be pardonably termed a
roaring start. In the first two
months, a total of 17, 000 car-
loads of tourists paid $4 per car
for the heart -quickening exper-
ience of driving unescorted two
miles through a landscape of
prowling, growling and romping
lions.
Along with 70 busloads, the
number of visitors reached an
impressive 100, 000 in that brief
kick- off period. Five occupants
to a car is average, but one
stalwart soul got a thumping
bargain with a station wagon
crammed with 18 kids,
The instant success of the
game farm proved out the plan-
ning of the partners in the ven-
ture -- Col. Gordon Dailley,
formerly of Winnipeg, and Jim-
my and Richard Chipperfield,
and English father -and -son team
who have set up similar game
farms on the Longleat estate of
the (,Marquess of Path, and in
Florida, Europe and Australia.
The lions were only a begin-
ning for the Rockton reserve,
which has cost $500, 000 thus
far. This spring was added a
Monkey Jungle where about
100 fierce -looking baboons,
inside a specially designed
non -scalable fence, scamper
at large over 12 acres through
which visitors can likewise drive
in the safety of their own cars.
Sea lions and penguins, llamas
and wallabies, along with pea-
cocks and barnya-d animals,
SANDRA (Deslardine) DICKERT
ANNOUNCEMENT
I wish to announce that I
will be Hair Dressing, and
pleased to serve you, at the
Towne and Country
BEAUTY SALON
ZURICH 236-4971
JOYCE McCARTER,
Proprietress
Phone for appointments,
from
Wednesday to Saturday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
BEGINNING
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
SPECIAL PRICES
Shampoo and Set . $2.00
Hair Cuts $1.25
are already installed in a care-
fully segregated Pets Corner.
Giraffes, zebra and other an-
imals of the veld are being
considered as future tenants,
and a Water Safari is also plan-
ned.
But the lions were the chief
problem in winning local accept-
ance of the project. Neighbour-
ing farmers had to be assured
that the big cats -- up to 450
pounds for males and 300 for
females --could never leap the
double rows of six and 12 -foot
steel mesh fencing.
Richard Chipperfield, a lion
expert with a healthy respect
for the king of beasts, likes to
boast that ' we've never lost a
visitor." To insure that there
is no first time in Ontario, nine
trained wardens armed with 12 -
gauge shotguns patrol in.four
radio -equipped trucks and man
two watch towers.
In case of trouble, the war-
dens have three choices of am-
munition to employ-- a saluting
blank that merely makes a loud
bang as a deterrent; a rice -load-
ed cartridge that acts as a
stinger, and finally, if required
a lethal slug, a single ball shot.
Visitors are restricted to
driving alongspecial roads, with
car doors anwindows closed
at all times. If a car develops
trouble, sounding the horn
brings prompt assistance. The
wardens, dressed in khaki saf-
ari outfits topped with floppy
white hunter hats trimmed with
leopard bands, keep a vigilant
lookout.
All untanned and untrained,
there are prides of lions in grass-
lands napping in the sun or frol-
icking friskily •as cars go by.
Truly. the headliner, a majestic
male disdains such frivolity and
comes to the edge of the road-
way to get a closer look, his
shoulders rippling with muscles.
Cattle heads Bought from
packing houses supply the up -to -
10 pounds of meat each lion
eats daily, their diet suppte-
mented regularly with bone ste-
al and cod liver oil.
PAPER DRIVE
— BY
VARNA-GOSHEN
BOY SCOUTS
Saturday, April 11
All paper to be tied or in boxes
For pick-up from the Zurich
area, phone 262-5748
No calls accepted morning of
April 11
VARIMINISPIMNIMMINMEMBEIMININRIMI
The tawny animals are com-
fortable enough in their new
Canadian habitat which, says
Chipperfield, is "the most
realistic lion country this side
of Africa."
Surprisingly, Ontario winters
are not a problem—the lions
acquire insulating fat and heav-
ier coats --and in severe weath-
er can find shelter in unheated
concrete dens. There's no dis-
puting Head Game Warden
'l3utalt" 1)ring's observation:
"They're a grand sight on the
snow."
Now there are actually Ont-
ario natives among their feline
numbers. On December 31,
four thriving cubs were born
right in the snow at the farm,
just missing being 1970 New
Year arrivals.
An ideal site for a leisurely,
family, outing, the game farm
includes a spacious, pleasant
picnic area with tables, where
you may bring your own hamper
or obtain refreshments from the
safari canteen.
And, of course, it affords
an unequalled opportunity for
picture -taking, that is if you
can hold a camera steady with
those handsome yet fearsome
creatures peering close-up
through your car window. Esp-
ecially when they yawn.
No pets are allowed in the
lion reserve but kennels with
padlocks are provided for them
at the entrance. Nor are con-
vertibles permitted within the
lions' domain --in deference to
those hefty sharp -clawed haws.
However, safari cars are avail-
able at an additional charge of
$2,50 per hour.
"To Africa and back in a clay"
is the slogan for this Ontario -
set safari, open every day of
the year from 10 a.m. to sunset.
Here's a rare chance to shoot
lions on the loose --on film --
only a 75 -mile drive from Buf-
falo, about 5n miles from Nia-
gara Falls and under 180 miles
from the Detroit -Windsor gate.
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1970
DEATH RATE REDUCED
In the past 25 years the death
rate from cancer of the uterus has
been cut in half. If all women over
the age of 25 had a simple Pap test
every two or three years this form
of cancer would be practically elimi-
nated. So states the Canadian
Cancer Society which needs your
contribution to help it to continue
its research.
KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION
For September, 1970
THURSDAY, APRIL 9,
1970
— AT ---
Zurich Public School
FROM 1:15 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10,
1970
— AT —
Hensall Public School
FROM 1:15 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M.
All children in the former Hay
Township School Area, from Con-
cession 3 and 4 and East, will
register at the Hensall Public
School.
The remainder of the former Hay
School Area will register at the
Zurich Public School.
Children eligible for Kinder-
garten Registration must be five
years old on or before Decem-
ber 31, 1970,
Parents should bring proof of
age and immunization records.
The present kindergarten classes
will bo open for inspection by
parents or guardians registering
children.
NINTH ANNUAL
SAUERKRAUT SUPPER
IN THE
Zurich Community Centre
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
5:30 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Sponsored by Zurich and District Chamber of Commerce
E SQUARE
PHONE 524-7811
RCONDITIONED
—For7Days—
Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.,
Mon., Tues. and Wed.
April 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
One Showing Thurs., Sun., Mon.,
Tues, and Wed. at 8.00 p.m.
Two Showings Friday & Saturday
at 7.30 & 9.10 o'clock
(Adult Entertainment)
MATINEE
Saturday, April 4
At 2.00 p.m.
JERRY LEWIS as
"THE NUTTY
PROFESSOR"
A man went looking forAmerica.
And couldn't find itanywhere,.,
CANNES FILM
FESTIVAL
WINNER!
"Best Film By a
New Directs"
PARDO COMPANY in u,o000on wiIh
!INSERT PRODUCTIONS p wens
leasy
RideR
FONDAI
"'°"'PETER
"`""" PETER !DENNIS
HOPPER
JACK NICHOLSON
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