ZOO INMATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 11

ZOO INMATES

CONTENTED ANIMALS NEW MONKEYS' ANTICS RIDING ON THE TORTOISE HAPPY DAY AFTER RAIN Relishing the sun's appearance after several dreary days of rain and wind, the animals and birds at the Auckland Zoological Gardens rt.se early yesterday morning, effctid ,i ah.'lul toilet and appeared at their best when hundreds of people visited the gardens later in the day. If the performance of innumerable amusing antics and remarkable acrobatic feats signifies anything, the behaviour of the animals and birds was also unimpeachable. I'or the whole time that the gardens were open yesterday, adults and children clustered before cages and enclosures gazing wonderinglv at the inmates. But the inmates were in no wise disconcerted, for during the present holidays they have become quite used to the concentrated stare of huge numbers of visitors. Rarely before, in fact, have they had so many callers as on the few fine days since Christmas, and even on the wettest days a few have come along to inspect them. A Colony of Apes Recent arrivals at the zoo have attracted special attention from the public. Yesterday, the new giant tortoise, a mere youngster in spite of his 40 or 50 years, obligingly consented to amble about a small piece of turf, carrying upon his back a vociferous cargo of small boys. Occasionally he had a rest in the manner that should have lost his ancestor the race against Brer Babbit, but ho oould soon bo coaxed into action again. Everyone was delighted with the colony of Gibbon apes that has just arrived from the Singapore Zoo. These strange creatures assumed a remarkable air of nonchalance as they strolled up and down vertical iron poles, and took their meals in an unorthodox inverted position. Their mode of eating, however, was rivalled in absurdity by the spider monkeys, one of which hung by its tail irom a high swing while it partook of a juicy lettuce on the floor about 4ft. below. Feeding Time Popular As if remembering his duty to the public, a Malay sun bear occasionally uncoiled from a deep furry nap, took a few turns about his cage, or stretched sleepily on his back. Two pigtail monkeys sat quietly on branches and gazed pensively around, thinking, perhaps, of the beloved coconuts that they once gathered in their native tropical haunts. The sea lion made a remarkable show of activity, careering about his pooi and, after each dive, providing onlookers with the problem of guessing whore he would appear next. The older exhibits, and especially the lions, tigers and polar bears, also had their visitors, particularly at meal times. Then it was that scores of children crowded after the keejiers, and watched delightedly as the lions pounced upon huge slabs of meat, or as the polar bears dived for lettuces, bread and carrots thrown into their swimming pools. There was interest, if not elegance, in the manner in which the hippopotami ate their way through huge heaps of chaff. Apart from one or two slight colds, the animals and birds nre in excellent condition at present. Little trouble has been experienced with the new arrivals, practically all of which ap|>ear comfortable in their new homes. The attractiveness of the zoo is enhanced by the gardens and trees, although the fine display of flowering pohutukawas suffered in the recent winds.