A Zoological Study

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 12

A Zoological Study

“ZIONITE’S” ENTHUSIASTICDESCRIPTION OF VISIT Dear Wendy,—l have no doubt that you have visited the Auckland Zoological Park, but there are several newcomers there since "ou were in Auckland. Among the first of the animals 1 saw was a brown goat of some kind standing motionless on some rocks in his den. He did not look like a live animal, ah, but lie winked his eyes occasionally; be isn’t a dummy one. With my companion 1 passed by the pens of huge buffalos. One has a calf that looked really very like the ones in my mother’s paddocks in Bulls. At least, he did at a glance, but his shoulders even at this early age look very broad. The little antelopes were quite friendly and came up to the wire-netting to sniff at my fingers. Oh, what a hefty beast the hippo is! His mouth!!! and such small ears and eyes in comparison to his size. He was in the water a great deal but came our readily when his keeper railed him to his meal of what looked like bran and chaff. Mr. Hippo! what a lot you put in your mouth at once! We passed by, and admired animals of all species. The kangaroo was quite sure I carried something for him in the little kit on my arm. (It was something nice, but not for him. We were making a picnic of the outing and were carrying our lunch, which we ate in the shelter of a huge palm tree;. Some years ago I had visited the zoo and there were about four Polar bears occupying the beautifully decorated d . This time there were two of them. How real the arena looked with its white rocks ami blue water. One small boy was trying to feed these two fellows from the land of iee and snow on peanuts! One 01 the brown bears had had a mate brought h : ni, but he was not a bit pleased at the kind thought on the part of the Park Board. Be sulked so badly that the keepers removed his mate to another den. How 1 admired the grace of the black ami ordinarv leopards. Jaguars and tigers. Such handsome fellows. Yes. but I wonder if anyone would stop to say so if those strong iron bars were not between them and these savage beasts.

Two lion cubs, a fortnight old, attracted nuch attention. We expended much time admiring the birds. The secretary bird is a very wise-looking fellow with his large solemn eyes and ‘‘hair full of pens.” The sea lions were new arrivals and seemed very well pleased with their new home. They barked and should I say bleated like an old sheep. The four new spider monkeys that are used to a warm country will very gradually be acclimatised. At present they frolic about in a warmed room and peer at passers-by from behind glass. The elephant was having a busy afternoon giving boys and girls rides. He seemed to enjoy a banana a lady gave him. Then the monkey.-! What entertaining little chaps they are. One Mrs. Monkey had the cutest little baby hanging around her. His antics aroused much laughter from the crowd of children and grownups. These funny fellows never lack an audience. There are such lots of things to see at the zoo. I could not possibly tell of half of them. Oh, what a steep hill lo climb to the gates where we caught a tram to my aunt’s home at Remuera. Around a lovely fire we sat with my cousins and their friends; some fourteen in all. and I told them how 1 had enjoyed my visit to the strange fellows of many lands. 1 grew enthusiastic over the monkeys’ antics and Cousin Billy, who stammers badly at times, put his hand on my shoulder and said “M-m-m-m-my! But you are lucky to be here!” Is there any wonder f turned to study mv features intentlv in the mirror on the wall, amid much laughter. Oh, I do hope I have not taken up all the room, Wendy. I really did mean to leave a space in ease ‘‘The Red Indian” should call. With many kind thoughts.—From “ZIONITE.” C.W.K., Auckland. Yes, dear, I have visited the Zoo you mention and consider it most wonderful. All the inhabitants appear to be quite at home and ? contented, don’t they The main feature, of course, is the very natural surroundings that house each animal or bird. What a joke Cousin Billy had with you.— Wendy.