As it has been previously reported that the only Watusi cattle ever brought out of Africa were brought out in 1929 and 1930 by Walter Schulz and his father Christoph, Marleen Felius of the Netherlands while doing research on the Ankole-Watusi found that there was one more small shipment of 6 head also brought to Germany from Africa in about 1939. The following is a copy of part of the article which appeared in the monthly journal of the Hellabrunn Zoo at Munchen, Germany dated April 1939.
Before the World War [I], the German explorer Professor D. Berger visited East Africa and the behind lying country of the Sultan of Uganda, in the source area of the Nile, between Lake Victoria and Lake Rudolf. Berger found a negro state with crowded cities from a hight standing negro architecture and a densly populated agricultural and cattle keeping country.
The Sultan still was a mighty man, even though under British colonialism. He ruled the Watusi (extremely beautiful and well trained people). When the Sultan was informed about Europe, her structures and inventions, after well listening he replied, “You white are great man, you can be proud on your possessions. But still we have something you don’t. Our pride is to possess cattle with the biggest horns possible.
[Here is some more information about cattle breeds that appeared, then another interesting story follows, the story about the quarantine period of Watusi cattle imported to Germany]
After their arrival in Hamburg, the Watussi cattle were loaded in a - for this purpose - specially adapted “Elbkahne” - a barge. This barge was moored on the wide part of the Elbe river so there was no contact with the mainland. The men taking care of the cattle during the quarantine period were not allowed to leave the barge.
Next to each Watussi animal a German one was stabled. To diagnose any possible infections t once the veterinarian of import affairs in Hamburg not just inspected the animals microscopically by blood sample tests, but also regular blood was moved over from the Watussi to the German control animals, to see if an externally sound looking Watusi did not carry a hidden illness.
If there would have turned up any form of doubt about the health of the animals, the whole herd on board the ship would have been killed and destroyed.
This risk was for the animal dealer, Hermann Ruhe of Alfeld, near Hanover. The several months lasting quarantine period, of course, was expensive. Also the long journey from Central Africa to the East Cost and from there by ship to Hamburg.
Because of the expenses one did not expect many such imports to the Zoos, they decided to breed their own and the Munchener Tierpark - Zoo procured a very fine herd of six breeding animals to breed these zoological treasures for themselves.
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God, I love history and the dedicated folks who research it, and file it. Note the name above "Ruhe". That is the same "zoo" mentioned in a past post, which house's the dwarf polar bear. Does anyone know if there has ever been a work, book or study done on how many of today's small zoo's had their start as an animal dealers holding compound?
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These are my notes about the Schulz family: (Please give me feedback on more info you have about these three persons)
Christoph Schulz
Christoph Schulz was an animal collector and dealer, and worked as agent for Firma Hagenbeck. His wife, Elizabeth, managed the finances and traveled with him to care for the captured animals. Christophs brother Wilhelm, had a son Fritz Schultz, who became an international famous animal trainer.
During World War I, all collection of wildlife was temporarily stopped, and the Schulzes lost their ranch in Tanganyika. They moved to South Africa for several years, then returned to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1925.
Christoph and Elizabeth retired in 1937 to travel around the world, leaving the management of the company to their only son, Walter Christoph Schulz.
Christoph grandson Jurgen C. Schulz has been active animal dealer in U.S.A.
Heres a letter from Christoph to Hagenbeck:
"Mohoro, Christmas 1910.
Dear Mr. Hagenbeck,
I have a terrible accident to report. I reached Petersen here at
Mohoro on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Morning Petersen said:
"I say, Schulz, lets go and kill our Christmas dinner." We went
out a mile or so into the bush and sighted some waterbucks, but
did not get a shot.
We then followed a buffalo trail, and sighted the animal at a
distance of about three hundred and eighty yards. I said, "You
shoot, because I only have a shotgun with me." He said, "Let's
make more sure of him." So we went in closer. All at once the
buffalo stormed up out of the bush, only three paces from us. 1
leapt to one side, he brushed by me and knocked me into a thorn
thicket. I was lucky, because the angry animal then lost sight of me.
But it turned at once and got poor Petersen on his horns. It tossed
him ten feet into the air, caught him again on its horns, and I heard
Pctersen's bones smash. Horrible.
Now here I am cut off from the whole world. The nearest
Europeans are three hours away. Dar-es-Salaarn is one hundred and
twenty miles and Mohoro is two and a half days from here.
I had dragged Petersen back here, then buried him. He was
two hundred yards from his house, frightfully mutilated. I am now
quite alone. Early this morning the District Commissioner passed
this way and recorded the accident.
I am bringing Petersen's animals and the seven hundred pounds
of hippopotamus teeth back with me. I have got planking, but no
assistance. If only I had the forty-eight packing cases ready which I
shall need. I have three weeks left, before the little river steamer
comes. It halts three hours distance from here. The road is poor.
I must get away from this, I cannot forget the sight of it. Do please
write to his parents. They are elderly folk. If you were to say
he is ill, that would prepare them for it. I am not ashamed to
say that when I buried him I wept; the tears are running as I
write.
I have ten other hippopotami at Kilva. I shall do what you wrote,
Mr. Hagenbeck. I hope to be in Hamburg in early March.
Yours very truly, Christoph Schulz."
Animals Are My Life, by Lorenz Hagenbeck
Walter Christoph Schulz
Walter Christoph Schulz was son to Christoph Schulz who was animal dealer and agent for Firma Hagenbeck in East Africa. Walter Schulz was born March 11, 1905, in Hamburg, Germany.
1923-1924: captured, among other animals, elephants in South Africa and Rhodesia, 3 large shipments were exported.
1925-1939 captured, among other animals, elephants in Tanzania.
1937: his parents retired, and he took over the company.
1939: World War II made business impossible.
1948: Walter returned to Angola and Southwest Africa to capture and ship African fauna.
1951, The Schulz family moved to East London, South Africa.
1954: Walter Schulz founded Zoopark Okahandja which was also a transfer station. Walter captured elephants and other game in South Western Africa.
1969: The Schulzs provided 12 elephants to germany.
1979: Walter retired, and his son Jurgen Cristoph Schulz took over the business. He has been an active animal dealer in U.S.A.
Jurgen Schultz
1937: Jurgen Cristoph Schulz was born in Germany, son to Walter Christoph Schulz, and grandson to Christoph Schulz who was animal dealer and agent for Firma Hagenbeck in East Africa.
1975: Jurgen Schulz formed J.C. Schulz, Inc. During Mr Schulz marriage with Mrs Kathryn Lindemann, several of the elephants were relocated through her zoo, the Catskill game farm.
1979: His father Walter Christoph Schulz retired, and Jurgen Cristoph Schulz took over the entire business.
1992: Schulz moved to Texas, bought a ranch in Adamsville (his wife, Jani, was raised in Lampasas), and soon thereafter purchased the Kifaru Exotic Animal Auction where the Schulz Family Legacy continues today.
Heres an article about animal trainer Fritz Schulz
http://www.circopedia.org/Fritz_Schulz
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