THE FATE OF THE ZOO.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1922, Page 4

THE FATE OF THE ZOO.

[ We must confess that we feel no great ' enthusiasm for zoos. In our opinion their educative effect is exaggerated, and the practice of confining wild animals in small cages is open to objection on humanitarian grounds. Among municipal enterprises a zoo is distinctly a luxury. We realise, however, that such collections of animals are very popular, and we can understand why feeling lias been aroused by the fate which the lions at Onehunga will suffer if nobody can be found to take them over. There can *De no objection to the City Council's decision to inquire into the question of acquiring the collection. To spend a large sum on a zoo at this stage of the City's development, when there are so many calls for more important things, woufd not be justified, but fiomc way out of the difficulty may be found. YVe would urge that if the Council decides to establish a zoo, provision should be made sooner or later, and thu sooner the better, for giving animals the extent of freedom they enjoy in the more modern zoos in various places. If maintaining a municipal zoo means keeping lions in small cages, we would like to see the Council reject the proposal. , I