EXHIBITS FOR ZOO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22613, 29 December 1936, Page 8

EXHIBITS FOR ZOO

MONKEYS AND BIRDS

ARRIVAL BY NARBADA ANIMALS IN GOOD SPIRITS In the best of health and spirits, a large consignment of monkeys and birds for tho Auckland Zoo arrived at Auckland by the Narbada yesterday. Only two animals, a pair of leopard cats, failed to make the trip safely. They died a few days after the Narbada left Singapore. Tho full consignment consisted of nine apes of the gibbon species, representing tho grey, masked, gloved, silvery and agile varieties, a pair of pig-tailed monkeys, tho gift of Mr. Watney Sibun, of Auckland, a pair ol slow lemurs, two pair of Mandarin ducks, a pair of Burmese peafowl, a fireback hen, 10 cattle egrets and two Brahmany kites. In addition there are two young leopards winch are to go to the Wellington Zoo. Treated as Pets The most interesting personalities in the animal passenger list are undoubtedly tho monkeys, which should provo a considerable attraction at the zoo. They were all comfortably housed on the vessel and in the daytime were generally allowed on deck, tethered by long chains to awning stanchions. The chains were so arranged that they had plenty ot scope for movement and tho little animals soon became accustomed to their strange surroundings. They are remarkably tame and were treated as pets by everyone on board. One female monkey, with a whole host of amusing antics, was christened Mao West and another young animal was practically given the freedom of the ship. Leopards Grow Rapidly

Owing to the large amount of shipping in port, the Narbada was unable to berth when she arrived yesterday morning and had to wait in the stream until the early evening when space at the wharves became available. However, a visit was paid to the vessel yesterday afternoon bv Lieutenant-Colonel E. R. Sawer, curator of tho zoo, who expressed pleasure at tho condition of tho animals. The whole consignment will be brought ashore this morning and transported immediately to tho 7.00. Lieutenant-Colonel Sawer also expressed tho view that tho new animals would prove a decided acquisition. The gibbon monkeys were really a form of dwarf apo and were most interesting as exhibits. The slow lemurs would also bo an attraction. They represented the least highly developed species of the monkey group and, as they were generally inclined to be delicate when removed from their natural climate, it was a matter for gratification that they had stood the trip so well. Tho two leopards for tho "Wellington Zoo were hardly more than cubs when they were placed on board the Narbada. They also became great pets with tho passengers and, although they _ have grown rapidly into fine young animals, they are exceedingly playful and remarkably tame.