NEW ANIMALS FOR WELLINGTON ZOO

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14828, 16 November 1948, Page 4

NEW ANIMALS FOR WELLINGTON ZOO

TWO YOUNG LIONS FROM MELBOURNE

DECK CARGO INCLUDED SIX KANGAROOS Some delicate, dangerous, and expensive commodities, 15 new animals for the Wellington Zoo, were unloaded without incident recently from the Union Steam Ship Company's vessel Waipori, which brought them from Melbourne. The animals carried as deck cargo, including two young lions and two Tasmanian devils, which were securely crated, were unloaded from the Waipori and taken to the Zoo at once.

The lions are 15 months old and almost fully grown. These two animals escaped from the Melbourne Zoo for a day two months ago, but special measures are being taken to ensure that no such similar break occurs here.

The Waipori also brought six giant grey kangaroos, which will be a newsight to the Wellington public. There are also in the consignment three emus and two flying phalangers. All the animals in the Waipori arrived in good condition. During the trip, however, two kangaroos escaped, and the boatswain had an exciting few minutes persuading the big animals back into their cages. These additions to the Wellington Zoo should add to its popularity, said the curator (Mr C. J. Cutler). His next few days would be busy ones, for he would be engaged in the task of accustoming the animals to their new environment.