AUCKLAND ZOO

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12283, 31 October 1925, Page 19

AUCKLAND ZOO

GREAT LOSS OF EXHIBITS THE OFFICIAL FIGURES NEARLY 200 IN TEN MONTHS (By Telegraph.—Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, October 30. Loss through death and other causes of animals, birds, and reptiles at the Auckland Zoo from the opening in December, 1922, to October, 1925, has amounted to 75 mammals, 110 birds, and 12 reptiles—a total of 197. These figures, which do not include lion cubs disposed of from time to time, were given in a report presented by the curator, Mr L. T. Griffin, to the City Council last evening. The report showed that/there were 1064 specimens, representing 170 species, now living at the Zoo. Those which had been lost in the period from December, 1922, to October, 1925, tot gether with cause, were:—Died from natural causes, 33 mammals, 39 birds, and t reptiles; death by misadventure or injured in transit, 16 mammals, 19 birds, and 3 reptiles; destroyed as unfit for exhibition, 7 mammals and 3 birds: killed by visitors, 10 mammals, 3 birds, and 2 reptiles; killed by dogs, 1 stoats, or rats, 6 mammals and 40 birds; escaped, 3 mammals aim 6 birds. The animals which escaped were a Tasmanian devil, an angouti (which was lost among the rocks of the burrowing animals’ enclosure), and a female leopard. SPECIAL CARETAKER URGED

Mr T. Bloodivorth said that if the Zoo was to hie. continued they must take -stops, to minimise the appalling loss of animals. He moved that the report be referred back to the parks committee to consider whether, in view of the report, the council should not appoint some person trained to this class of work to take charge and give his whole time to the Zoo, as this might be the means of saving the lives of many animals.

The resolution was supported by Councillor, J. A. C. Allum and others who made it clear that there 'was no reflection on Mr Griffin, who was only pai-t. of his time at the Zoo. ( The motion was carried.