THE WORLD'S GREATEST ZOO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13021, 11 November 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WORLD'S GREATEST ZOO.

■ . ■«».... --"■ „-BY' WILLIAM T. HORNADAY (Director of the New York Zoological Park). For the creation and maintenance of free zoological parks "•; in a: manner satisfactoryto taxpayers the New York Zoological Society has developed a plan which in America is attaining wide popularity. It is distinctly an American, plan, and well worthy of attention from all those who are interested in the creation of free educational collections of living animals. : !

' In 1895 the New York Zoological Society was incorporated for the distinct purpose of bringing to the human millions of New York city a series of collections which would fitly represent the; living mammals, birds, and reptiles of the world. The principles first laid down were that the proposed institution should be seriously educational, that it should also afford opportunities for outdoor recreation and the enjoyment of natural scenery, and finally that it should be free to all. It was decided that the ends desired could best be ! secured by. a partnership arrangement between the philanthropy of V private ' citizens and the financial ; resources of the city. . .; ' ; ' ' Up to this time the development of zoological gardens ,for American cities had been, generally speaking, on an unsatisfactory basis. No one had found the Aladdin's lamp 'that could light the way r to comprehensive prosperity. The " pay" gardens of Philadelphia and Cincinnati existed ion the plan common ' throughout Europe but their success had been achieved against difficulties which other American cities were anxious to avoid.

The municipal zoological garden of Lincoln Park, Chicago, ever subject to the swift and sweeping changes of "city politics," had by no means proved a great success. A plan, was needed by which a zoological park could be established by expert knowledge, on a basis . of absolute permanency, and with adequate funds both for creation and maintenance. That plan was speedily ' evolved by the shrewd and farsighted Executive- Committee of the new society. . *, • • ,■■■' >• The' New York Zoological Park, soon to be completed, is the joint creation of generous private individuals and the city of New York. Up to this date the Zoological Society lias expended upon it about 446,000 dollars from its own funds, -virtually as a gift to the city. The city has furnished a beautiful park of '261 acres, the water supply, police protection, and an annual maintenance fund of 135,000 dollars. The entire control of the institution is vested in the officers of the society, and it is as free from "political influence" as any of the great American universities. It enjoys the \ cordial support of men i of all creeds and all political parties. The society furnishes, at its own expense, all; the animals. ' The city grants to the society two "pay days" (Monday and Thursday) and all money producing privileges ; in the park, with the stipulation that all net proceeds derived therefrom shall bo expended in the purchase of animals. : _ Tho permanent improvements not paid for by the society have' been financed by the city, with funds derived from the sale of long-term bonds bearing a rate of low interest. The taxpayer of to-day pays the ! cost of maintenance, and the society and posterity pay for all else. I Tho plan; works admirably. The New York taxpayer is quit o'willing to be taxed for V"fino collection of living animals that is maintained free unto him, and his children. - Just as the society intended the animals are seen by the millions of the 'poor, instead of: by..-the well-to-do only. Already other American cities'are adopting the New York plan in detail, and it is destined to become widely popular. '- But it is not alone in its plan of foundation that the New York . Zoological Park differs^'i'ffim 1 "'^ 11 other institutions of its kl ™' V „ „ +„ I'Mhe requirements for the y ITio keynote of -c J fc Umit of animals has been be . j fc sgible of air and sunlight, and t> ■ l imprisonment conditions.*'-,,,. ifi 20ologi . . The founders of every sciWiis.., fcheir £ fc . cal garden have , of course done f e j r most to provide for the comfort ol>> u t j jat animals,' for the very simple reason %,_ ty comfort promotes longevity, and a happj. animal is to visitors a ; more pleasing object than one which is miserable. But different methods produce different results. In Europe the universal plan has been to locate each zoological garden as near as possible to the heart of its parent city, and make its concert-hall and restaurant a popular social resort, for the production of revenue. The result oi this is a site 'containing only a small area,. usually from 20 to 30 acres, and never exceeding 60 acres. This means small enclosures, small water areas, and in some cases smaller buildings than would otherwise be erected— " garden" in every sense. , ; . The Now' York Zoological Park is m no sense a " garden." a • It is situated in the centre of the great northern borough of New York,, where the society received from tho city a magnificent domain of 261 wild acres of marvellous beauty and adaptability. Bronx Park is one of the wonders of New York—the wonder being that so magnificent a tract of virgin forest,; containing thousands of great forest trees: a century old, should throughout a century of destructive vandalism havo been preserved from the axe. " t . : This wonderful combination of bill and dale, forest, meadow, rock ledge, and water offered to the Zoological Society an absolutely unique opportunity, and, quite naturally, that' body resolved to develop its installations for animals on new lines. Thus far that opportunity has been improved to the utmost, and every effort has been made to adapt, artistically and scientifically, the handiwork of Nature to the wants and uses of the animals and their visitors. " : ' ' ' la this .line of effort, the bear dens constitute the most striking illustration. They cover the entire side and one end of a hill of pink granite, 30 feet high and 400 feet long. The sleeping dens are underneath a ledge that reaches part way up the rock wall. At the base of the ledge is a concrete floor/with a deep bathing tank in tho centre of each open- yard thus formed. It is difficult to say which the bears enjoy romping and racing around the level floor, climbing up and down the rocks, or swimming in their pool. Surely no wild bears ever were so happy and contented as are these. Being absolutely safe from all danger and all annoyances, and fed only by their keepers, they are as happy and) 'frolicsome as schoolboys on a playground. The vigorous exercise in which "they daily indulge develops their muscles, and "keeps them in splendid health. There are 36 bears in the collection, and they represent 13 species. ;Mountain, Sheep Hill is another fine example of the utilisation of Nature's work. A long ridge of granite from 15 to 40 feet high, and with a total length of about 700 feet, has been enclosed and crossed by light wire fences until it forms eight fine ranges. These are occupied by bands, of ibex, mountain sheep, thai*, and " mountain goats. The sight of such animals, grouped on the skyline of such a ridge of natural rock, is, to say the very least, remarkably close to nature. ' ..The wolves are quartered in large enclosures, similar in plan to those for the bears, and they are probably the most active and i vigorous canines to be found in captivity. A hundred times a day at least each wolf! races from the front of his den .up to the j top of his rocks and back again. ' I The large, closed buildings, for creatures ! that require heat in winter, are eight in number. While they were not intended to be regarded as palaces in effect they ; are so. The purpose of the society was not to erect ornate and showy buildings, to i outdo others of similar kind, bub rather,

to give their animals roomy and healthgiving space, plenty of sunlight, and ample space for the public. The execution of these liberal ■ intentions: with ; first-class building materials have indeed produced palatial animal buildings. The ground plans and arrangements of' all - these v structures : have of ? course been designed .the director of the • Zoological Park.; .Whenever a feature could be copied from some other zoological garden the fact has always been publicly acknowledged. . ; ; : Of j all the large : buildings the " monkeyhouse must be regarded as the leading success, because it differs ' most widely from all others of its kind, because of the wellnigh complete : elimination of the sickening odours that in some monkey-houses are so offensive, and also because of the robust health , and low: death-rate ;■ of its fourhanded inhabitants. The anthropoid apes,'; now three and a-half years in this building, are as lively and hardy as three street gamins, and all are growing rapidly; Last year there was only one case of tuberculosis in this collection of about 130 apes, baboons, monkeys, and lemurs. The new systems of ventilation, and sanitation have proven highly satisfactory, and the abundant supply of fresh air has a marked influence on the health of the animals. ' Dur- j ing the past year seven species have produced young,' and' six have reared, them. ' ' Among the ; important new features that have been developed in the Zoological Park are the following: Fences of steel wire for hoofed animals, instead of heavy bars of ; iron or wood; cage-fronts for all lions, tigers, monkeys, and birds of wire netting instead of bars; open-air yards for,bears, wolves, and foxes;. heated pools of water Under strong sunlight for crocodilians; the flying cage idea for all birds, carried out to ' its limits ;' walls ;of jungle green glass tiles for lions, tigers, and other large feline animals; grass-grown ranges for all deer. One of the innovations of the Zoological Society is the publication of a popular scientific annual report and quarterly bulletin, both richly illustrated, and filled with news and observations of the animal world. These are specially for the members of the society. : _, »-. Because of. the success of the society in the management of the Zoological Park, in 1902 the city government requested iV to take absolute control of the great New York Aquarium, and develop it on a, scientific basis. This trust'was accepted in 1903, and the result has been very satisfactory to the public. | .The society now consists, of about 1700 members, and it annually expends on the I Zoological Park, from its own funds, about i 40,000 dollars. The following collections j are especially large and fine:, Deer, Afri- ! can hoofed animals, sheep, goats and ibex,. j bears, apes and monkeys, lions anr* leopards, water birds, small mammals, song birds, reptiles. The general plan of the park is the work of-the director. Work began in 1898, the grounds were formally opened in 1899, and the work of development will be practically completed in 1907, or thereabouts. The maintenance force consists of 117 persons:, and at present the annual total of visitors' is about 1,200,000. . . (Written for Potentia Copyright in the United States and Great Britain. All rights reserved.) , ' - '' ■ ■