ZOO POISONING INCIDENT

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 179, 30 July 1924, Page 4

ZOO POISONING INCIDENT

REPETITION UNLIKELY. MORE ANIMALS ORDERED. POLAR BEARS, TIGERS AXD PUMAS. There has fortunately been no repetition of the dastardly acts of poisoning at the Zoological Park which occurred last month, and which have been the subject of close official investigation, said the Mayor, Sir James Gunson, this morning. The investigations made and tho analyses received established beyond doubt that the poison had been administered wilfully and with malicious design. The Mayor added that the Council was gratified to know from the communications and evidence it had received that the community shared with it the greatest resentment at the acts. Nothing had been left undone to bring- the perpetrator to justice, and, while no actual arrest had been made, a pretty close idea had been arrived at as to the ideutity of the individual responsible. However, the action taken and the publicity given to the incident afforded every hope that there would be no repetition. "The Parks Committee," said Sir James, "has purchased further animals, and lias also under consideration now the question of adding further valuab.e exhibits to the collection. In short, no stone is to be left unturned to make' the Zoo a very high-grade collection' within attractive grounds. Advice has been received which leads us to anticipate the shipment from London in August of four female polar baar cub 3 and a pair of tigers, while this morning a further order was dispatched for one pair of cheetahs, one pair of pumas, and one pair of giant ant-ealers. These last will be similar to those in the London Zoo, and are fully six feet in length. It is hoped that these animals will be secured in time for shipment with the polar bears and timers next month." l