The zoological gardens of Europe, their history and chief featuresPeel, C. V. A. (Charles Victor Alexander)
History
The zoological gardens of Europe, their history and chief features
Peel, C. V. A. (Charles Victor Alexander)
Zoos
In 1893-94 the drainage was renewed; in 1895 the new wing of the
well-arranged aviary was built; in 1896 a new deer house and a goat
and sheep house were built; in 1896-97 the beautiful stork and crane
house; in 1897 the camel house; in 1898 more deer houses, moufflon
rocks, and two restaurants were erected, and other improvements made.
This period, from the death of Dr. Bodinus in 1884 to the death of
General Duncker in 1897, forms the second division in the history of
the Berlin Garden.
[Illustration: ELEPHANT HOUSE, BERLIN.]
The year 1897 marks a new period in its history. The eclat of the
Garden as a place of amusement, the increased number of specimens, and
the favourable position of the site in the west of Berlin led to the
new organization of an institution which was so promising.
In 1898 1,000 new preference shares were issued, and a second increase
in capital brought the total capital of the Company up to £113,500. By
this means numerous alterations and improvements were undertaken. A new
official residence was erected, and Japanese and Chinese pavilions,
coffee-houses, bridges, halls for children to play in, lavatories,
machine houses, a pump house, three new pig houses, improvements in the
antelope house, new llama rockery, and refrigerators for dead fish were
made. A view-tower, pheasantries, and many other minor improvements in
walls, banks, bridges, and ponds were added. Herr Begas presented one
of his celebrated centaur statues, and Uechtritz a nymph with swan. All
these things have made the Garden more attractive, and all Berlin comes
to see them. The Garden and restaurant are visited by 60,000 people on
a fine Sunday in the summer.
* * * * *
We will now walk round one of the finest Zoological Gardens in Europe,
and, indeed, in the world, as it is at the present moment well ahead
of our London Garden, both in the value of its animals and also in the
magnificence of its buildings. Some of the latter are truly remarkable
structures, being finely painted and decorated, and fitted inside with
the very best up-to-date arrangements for the health and comfort of the
animals.
After I had paid one mark at the entrance, my camera was immediately
pounced upon; I hope it may not be thought to be ‘sour grapes’ if I add
that it poured with rain the whole day when I visited the Garden, and
that most of the animals were housed indoors.
Turning to the left round a very large café, with seats outside capable
of accommodating several thousand people, we come to a very large
and lofty bird-of-prey aviary. Close to a children’s playground will
be found some stables, containing common domestic asses, Somali wild
ass, Burchell’s and mountain zebra--a cross between a donkey and a
zebra--and the inevitable Shetland pony, with which they always seem so
pleased in Continental Gardens.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account