CENSUS AT NEWTOWN ZOO

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 174, 20 April 1942, Page 8

CENSUS AT NEWTOWN ZOO

A Large Population VERY SfMALL DEATH RATE Tlmre ari- now 20-1 mammals at the N< wiown zoo. A census taken on March 3.1 showed that, there were_2!) monkeys. 3-1 eariiivora. 7 hears, 07 rodents, 2u ma rsupials, and -12 ungulates (deer, cattle, etc.i. There were Sl2 birds, consisting of 170 pigeons, doves, etc., 220 parrots and |>arrakeels. 10 eaglets am! owls. SO pheasants and pealowl. H>o finches and small birds, luO waterfowl, 12 crows and ravens, and 10 flightless bird'-. The piqmlatimi at the zoo is completed by 20 reptiles and 300 fish. "Owing to shipping conditions not many new exhibits have been added, but we have be< n fortunate enough to obtain several monkeys ot varieties that we have not formerly simwn. A sea lion, some of the rarer lovebirds, and a bison, are. among the more interest ing new exhibits." states the annual report of the curator, Mr. C. J. Cutler. "During the period under review 30 mammals. J 5 birds and two reptiles were born. Our- death ratio was 5 per cent., which emnpares with other zoos where the percentage ranges from 4 to 35.

"Chtr usual close contact with many overseas zoos is now considerably restricted. but it is most pleasing Io have the assuranee of Prolessor Huxley, of London zoo. that they are carrying on very well despite having been several times bombed. It is interesting to note that they are turning the bomb craters into dew and fish ponds. One private English zoo is utilizing two adjacent bomb craters as the basis for a pair of glowworm caves, a connecting stream being installed in which it is proposed to keep a number of trogloditic Jisb. The practice of giving lectures on natural history at several institutions has been continued with some success, and many parties of children are conducted round the exhibits. Our collection of zoological and histological slides is becoming quite worth-while, and has been made good use of by many students. “Buildings and enclosures have been kept; in as good condition as possible with the labour and material now available, and some minor improvements have been made. A new meat shed has been erected and the safety features of several eiiges have been improved. 1 regret that I still have Io report that, irresponsible hooligans still manage to cause considerable damage: the repair bill on one item alone was £B. The E.P.S. system is as straightforward and simple as it can he made. The armoury has been supplemented. Four excellent shelters have been provided, in addition to the natural cover in different parts of the grounds. ’