THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18685, 15 April 1924, Page 11

THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

AUCKLAND'S FINE DISPLAY.

IMTRES£ lONS OF VISITOR.,

PROMISE OP GREAT FUTURE.

NEED FOR zoological society.

"I have seen practically all the leading zoological parks in the world, and not one, believe me, excels, the Auckland Zoo •in its promise of a great future. The place already is wonderful, and it is only in the making." This is the opinion of Dr. E. H. Harte, C.M.G., of Philadelphia, one of the American delegates to the recent medical conference in this city, who leaves Auckland to-day by the Makura after a comprehensive tour of the Dominion.

Dr. Harte speaks as one having authority. He has been one of the directors of the , Philadelphia Zoo for many years, and has travelled extensively throughout the world. He is moreover, a lover of animals and a keen student of natural history.

"The Auckland Zoo surprises me," said Dr. Harte yesterday. "I saw ft first abcut six weeks ago, but had then just sufficient time to gain an impression of its main features. To-day with leisure at my service, I visited ft in company with Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Bush, the city engineer. Its details compel admiration. What has been planned and accomplished in the last- 18 months is really wonderful. Then it was a wilderness ; now it reveals all the outlines of a splendid zoological park and retains in its development something of the wilds. The exhibits are already remarkable, and some of them represent a rare standard of excellence, both as to the condition of tho animals and their accommodation. ' Ideal Ben for Lions. "I know of no finer collection of lions in captivity anywhere in the world," continued Dr. Harte. "The den at Western Springs Park 'is . ideal. And how they thrive in this delightful climate In Europe, in the United States, arid in London, the rearing of lions is very difficult. At the London Zoo, for example, the «übs, as a rule, have to be given a fostermother from a kennel. Here, the cubs are fed naturally, and/ there appears to be no trouble at all. Indeed, the herd multiplies almost with embarrassing plenitude. At Taronga Park, Sydney, the lions are grossly overfed. It does not do to over feed lions. Like human beings they should not be given too much to eat.

" The hygienic conditions at the Auckland Zoo. are almost perfect. The park is blessed with an ample water supply. There is nothing like a stream of living water for a zoo. All the arrangements for the housing of the- exhibits leave very little to be desired. "It is probable that Auckland do not realise the advantages they possess in their mild climate. This alone will save thousands of pounds in respect of the future upkeep of your zoo. In the Old World the expenditure on artificial boating for a , long winter of four or iive months is a very serious burden on zoological ' institutions. In Auckland there is no necessity for artificial heating at aIL Prospect of An Aquarium. "If vou are going to establish an aquarium at the Auckland Zoo," observed Dr. Hart©, "the accommodation will have to be first-class. It is true that a well-stocked aquarium is always a great attraction, but it takes a lot of money to get just the right thing. _ " There 'is, scope for an attractive extension of tfie collection of birds, and enterprise in that direction will be profitable. Beautiful birds are always delightful, and provided that .they are properly accommodated and led their life in a zoo can bin very pleasant. I notice that you have lot yet get a giraffe. It is a difficult animal to acclimatise. We paid £1000 for one, and it lived only for a few months. " The greatest need at every zoo, however, is a staff of keepers and attendants wlfco not only know the wild creatures they look after, but love them. Without such a staff no zoo can prosper and adequately discharge its real function, which is to educate) as well as to entertain, a community. Self-supporting Policy. , "The* (time has certainly come in Auckland for the formation of a zoological society. There is great opportunity for such a society doing serviceable work. , . "The authorities in Auckland have adopted the right policy in the matter of .aiming at making the zoo self-supporting. The results are beyond comparison in any country in the world. The admission fee is reasonable. It is no good running a zoo gratuitously; it is never appreciated. The charge at Philadelphia is Is 6d, and nobody complains. " Meanwhile, you have a splendid zoo> and if initial enterprise be continued with tho same efficient enthusiasm that the Mayor, Mr. Gunson, has exercised, I .venture to say that in 10 years time the Auckland Zoo will be second to none in the world."