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Ponto Was the Lion's Name

on BBC Radio 4 FM

Can the tiger really come to tea? Judith Palmer explores our fascination with escaped zoo animals roaming the suburban landscape, from Goldie the eagle, who evaded capture in Regent's Park for several days in 1965, to Sheila the tiger, who slipped her enclosure in Glasgow in 1949. There are contributions from the rector whose kittens were terrorised by a vulture and accounts of big cat sightings from Devon to Kent. Palmer also meets 11 Bengal tigers in Chingford and explains the effect wild beasts have on children's dreams. (Ponto was the name of the lion immortalised in a poem by Hilaire Belloc about Jim, who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion). Producer Miles Warde

Contributors

Unknown:
Judith Palmer
Unknown:
Hilaire Belloc
Producer:
Miles Warde

BBC Radio 4 FM

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