LIFE AT THE ZOO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 146, 23 June 1933, Page 9

LIFE AT THE ZOO.

STRICT ECONOMY POLICY. ANIMALS SUCCESSFULLY BRED. "Owing to the necessity for strict economy little was done in the way of adding many new additions by way of purchase, but the collection has been kept in a state as always to provide some new attractions," states the annual report concerning the Auckland Zoological Park. It was submitted by the curator, Mr. L. T. Griffen, at the meeting of the council last evening. The report continues that it was hoped to have effected some important exchanges with Home dealers, but excessive shipping charges prevented this. The most notable purchases during the year comprised a small collection of larger kangaroos. Thirty-eight specimens of various kinds were born at the zoo during the year, the most important being a very line female blue wildebeest, an animal becoming rare in the game reserves of Africa. It was deserted by its mother, and successfully raised by hand. In addition, three of the rare Natal blue duykerbucks, live Indian antelopes, two Rhesus monkeys, three lion and two tiger cubs were born, while a number of linches and water birds were bred on the lake or in the aviaries. The lion and tiger cubs were left entirely to be brought up by their parents, with excellent results, the .same applying to the monkeys. The fact that monkeys could be born and reared at the zoo spoke, well for the climate and the - accommodation provided. The death-list from all causes was a moderate one compared with other zoos, and showed a marked decrease as compared with previous years.