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NEW YORK, Fri—Four sur prised monkeys and 20 curi ous zoo officials today watched the three Australian platypuses -Betty Hutton, Penelope and Cecil—have their first meal on arrival at Bronx Zoo animal hospital. When they move to their per manent lodgings at the platypus ary the trio will have the ser vices of a full-time attendant. He has never seen a platypus be fore, but says he has been read ing special textbooks for three months. Betty Hutton and Penelope quite enjoyed the meal, but Cecil seemed to be contemplat ing a hunger-strike. However, Cecil's health is not disturbing their keeper, director David Fleay of the Healesville Sanctuary (Victoria), even though he did cancel their plan ned air trip from Boston lest the cold upset Cecil further. “Just off his food,” comment ed Mr. Fleay. He said that the platypuses were tired because the ship's fog horn last night kept them awake. The captain had later cut the siren down to half-strength. The platypuses slept during the limousine journey to New York. Their arrival at Boston yester day aboard the steamer Pioneer Glen was front-pate news. Said one evening daily in its story of the 13,000-mile sea trip from Australia: “Hitherto platypuses have been seen only in Australia and ‘lost week-ends. They are the dninval world’s Dead End Kids.” Reporters and photographers swarmed aboard the ship to meet them. Crowds watched Mr. Fleay transfer his three wriggling charges to small, hay-filled boxes. Said a wharf labourer: “Well, doggone it—they’re true. I thought they were all baloney. Bronx Zoo officials say that Betty Hutton, Penelope and Cecil can expect about 2,000,000 visitors this summer. Cecil will live apart from the other two.
Newspaper Details
Perth Daily News
Perth, Western Australia, AU
Sat, Apr 26, 1947
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Darcy P.
USA 07 May 2026
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