ZOO POISONINGS AT AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18135, 26 July 1924, Page 14

ZOO POISONINGS AT AUCKLAND.

EVIDENCE OF CAREFUL PLANNING. (BPICIAL TO "THS nxss.") AUCKLAND, July 20. Detectives are making a keen search for the culprit, or culprits, responsible for the dastardly destruction of animals in the Auckland Zoo. During the past month eight animals, all valuable specimens, were poisoned by what appears to haive been an arsenical preparation, and of the number seven died within from 12 to 30 hours after the administration of the poison. The small mandrill, after an agonising experience, recovered, its life having been saved by prompt measures on the part of the *Zoo attendants, who administered an emetic. The other victims were two agoutis, two seuricates, two Geladi baboons, and a zebra mare. Portions of the bodies were examined by Mr A. J. Parker, analyst, of Ponsonby, who in several instances found arsenic in poisonous quantities. Moreover, the arsenic was coloured in the way that is customary with arsenical preparations, such as weed killer, and similar mixtures frequently used in gardening. In the case of the zebra, there was found a certain amount of caustic matter which is usually associated with arsenic in m alkaline bodies t-o promote a solution. There is reason for suspecting that the poisoning of the animals was more wanton than mischievous; in fact that it was an act of malice. The poison was apparently administered in small quantities on each occasion during week-ends. The agoutis were the first victims, both dying about the same time in one week. A week later the sewricates sickened \ r iolently, and died. Both species appeared to have been poisoned almost simultaneously. The small quaint mandrill was the next selection of the poisoner. Later one of the Geladi baboons died suddenly and mysteriously in the same way. Then the zebra, and last of all the second baboon. All through the ppriod the greatest possible care was taken in regard to the feeding of all the animals. From the inception of the Zoo the method of feeding and the selection of food have been exrentionally careful, and have been carried out under scientific supervision.