It sounds like the press whipped everyone up into a frenzy with the leopard escape (though I know it is a potentially very dangerous animal, there were real and present risks and those were different times). But I know that this kind of sensationalist reporting isn't a thing from the roaring 20's or the past either and is very much still the beating heart of tabloid journalism.
Agreed, if this is anything to go by: "One mother has a slasher always at hand; another carries an axe; yet another has a loaded gun." Men armed with guns and clubs repeatedly searched in the vicinity of the zoo and the wider area There was a second leopard escape about a decade later, but the leopard didn’t stray far from the zoo and was shot. These days, it would be handled very differently; with the public more likely to be indignant rather than relieved if an animal met it’s demise due to an escape.
I’ve come across a couple of interesting videos from Auckland Zoo’s history: The first is from 1956: And the second is from 1973; Highlights of the second video include: 0.25: Indian elephants in the zoo’s elephant pool 1.15: Grant’s zebra 1.44 Indian elephants in the adjoining yard of the elephant house 1.55: African lion cages (at rear of pit); Puma, leopard and Jaguar cages The two young elephants are Ma Schwe (1964-1982) and Kashin (1968-2009). Kashin had those inner ear tufts even as a five year old!
Brilliant discovery of those historic videos of one of my favourite Zoos. @Zoofan15 do you know why Ma Schwe died so early? At 0:45- a very thin Polar Bear. And I was suprised to see the amazing Jamuna appear, giving an elephant ride at 3:05. Kassala also appears briefly in the background I believe.
Thank you. There’s already a lot of Auckland Zoo historical videos on here, but this was the first time I’d seen those two. The second one is my favourite as it offers clearer shots of the exhibits (rather than just the animals). Ma Schwe dropped dead while being walked around the zoo. She suffered serious deterioration of major blood vessels and died of acute heart failure. It’s sad as she was only 18 years of age. Ma Schwe was only four years older than Kashin. This was unusual for Auckland Zoo, as aside from Jamuna and Rajah (both born 1917); all elephant pairs had an age gap of at least a decade: Jamuna and Kassala was 28 years; Jamuna and Malini was 36 years; Malini and Ma Schwe was 11 years; Kashin and Burma was 14 years; and Burma and Anjalee is 24 years.
Auckland Zoo - Features of Historical Significance (1920’s) Recently Demolished 1. Lion Pit (1922) Housed lions from 1922-1998; then Sumatran tigers for two decades (demolished 2018). A new Sumatran tiger exhibit is being built on site. Sumatran Tiger Pit (1922-2018) by Zoofan15 posted 9 Jul 2020 at 3:59 PM The Lowlands/Sumatran Tiger Exhibit (Opening 2022) by Zoofan15 posted 25 Jan 2021 at 7:50 AM 2. Sea Lion Pond (1922) Housed New Zealand fur seals; then California sea lions until 2001; it was then a water fowl pond for 10 years (demolished 2010). Sea Lion Exhibit - early 1920's - ZooChat sealion pool, Auckland Zoo - ZooChat 3. Bear Pit (1922) Housed American black bears; remodelled to house Slender-tailed meerkat from 1991-2017 (demolished 2017). 4. Aviary (1922) Housed Blue and gold macaws in recent times (demolished 2019). Aviary for small doves, finch and quail - 1990 - ZooChat Auckland Zoo - ZooChat Still Remaining 1. Bear Pit (1922) Historically housed Brown bears (and was possibly a second holding exhibit for Polar bears?). Currently an off display Nepalese red panda exhibit. Nepalese Red Panda Exhibit (Off Display) by Zoofan15 posted 16 Jul 2020 at 3:14 PM 2. Historic Bridge (1922) Part of the Te Wao Nui complex. 1922 Bridge by Zoofan15 posted 16 Jul 2020 at 6:15 PM 3. Elephant House (1923) Currently a restaurant. Historic Elephant House by Zoofan15 posted 16 Jul 2020 at 6:19 PM 4. Elephant Pool (1923) Remodelled into moat for spider monkey exhibit. Black-handed Spider Monkey Exhibit by Zoofan15 posted 16 Jul 2020 at 8:39 PM 5. Giraffe House (1925) Currently houses tarantulas. Historic Giraffe House by Zoofan15 posted 16 Jul 2020 at 5:17 PM
Website to celebrate the zoo’s centenary: For those interested in Auckland Zoo’s history, the zoo have launched a website to celebrate their centenary next year. It will be updated with stories, photos and a timeline: Auckland Zoo There’s already some great photos on there!
Historic photos: Two months on from the launch of the website, several photos have been uploaded by the zoo and members of the public through the decades. Due to forum rules re. copyright, I won’t be reposting any of them here, but click the link to view them yourself: Our stories Some highlights: 1960’s - Piwi the Polar bear cub. There was a story on ZooChat about how after her death, she was stuffed and put on display near the bear pits. This is substantiated in photos. 1980’s - Photos of the Giant panda indoor exhibit. 1980’s - A young Kashin being walked past the bear pits. 1990’s - Photo of Larry the Dromedary camel as a calf. The photo notes he was handraised after being rejected by his mother, Sesame. Photos across multiple decades of the sea lion, hippopotamus and bear pits. Tagging people some people who have an interest in the zoo’s history: @Zorro, @Jambo, @Nisha, @Patrick Keegan, @steveroberts, @WhistlingKite24, @Matt_C, @CarLarchameleon
Great Photos !. Does anybody know if Auckland Zoo has plans to release a book to celebrate the centenary ?
I’ve really been enjoying the photos and we’re only two months in. They’ll be lots more to come - just hopefully less of that damn dragon. I’m not aware of any plans to release a book - especially with the focus on online content these days, which has also replaced their long running TV show.
Auckland Zoo Video (1996) I’ve come across this comprehensive video taken by visitors to Auckland Zoo, which I’ve identified as being filmed in 1996 for various reasons: Overview: Start: Japanese Garden 1.41: Old Aviary (1922) 2.02: Scuttles the California sea lion 3.26 Sinka and Sinbad the California sea lions 3.46 Freeflight Aviary 4.46: Dromedary camel exhibit 4.55: Faith, Fudge and Snorkel (separated by bars) 5.13: Barbary sheep 6.14: Grant’s zebra 6.27 Mandla the Southern white rhinoceros (in 1980 exhibit) 7.02: Kashin the Indian elephant 7.31: Burma the Indian elephant (14 years old) 8.17: Giraffes 8.38: Giraffe House 8.48: Mara 8.54: Gemsbok 9.05: Galapagos giant tortoises 10.00: Old wallaby exhibit (sea lion shores was later built here) 10.33: American alligators 10.41: Common chimpanzee (including three year old Luka) 11.19: African lions in 1922 lion pit
1930’s Auckland Zoo have created a timeline on their website, which they update every fortnight. I’ll provide a summary of the updated information every two weeks, as well as other notable events not mentioned; but you can click on the link for more details: Timeline Key Events: 1930’s: Great Depression takes hold 1935: Curator Louis T. Griffin dies 1936: Curator Lt Col. E.R. Sawer is appointed 1937: Animal mortality decreases from 35% to 9% 1938: Keeper W.A. Hawke is attacked by an American black bear 1938: Application to exhibit kiwi is denied 1939: Ginger Rodgers (Sumatran orangutan) arrives 1950: Zoo closes for the first time ever (death of Prime Minister) Not Mentioned but Notable Events: 1930: Rajah (Indian elephant) arrives 1936: Rajah (Indian elephant) is shot after becoming unmanageable 1939: Nada (Common hippopotamus) arrives
Great video posted here and it is awesome to see the Japanese Garden again, along with all of the long departed animals and exhibits. It is also interesting to see the original layout of the Qantas Aviary, and the Elephant enclosure.
Cheers. I was surprised how comprehensive the video was. They covered almost every exhibit in the zoo. It was interesting to see some of the lesser known phase outs (Gerenuk, Patagonian mara and Barbary sheep). The high profile phase outs (Polar bears etc). are well known, but I had no idea Auckland Zoo had Barbary sheep as recently as 1996. The charisma of the California sea lions really came across in this video. They used to have such a vibrant colony. By 1999, when we introduced to them via The Zoo, the colony had been reduced to 1.4 (Scuttles, Sinka, Kline, Keel and Kipper); with only the youngest three making the move to the new exhibit in 2001.
1940’s Auckland Zoo have created a timeline on their website, which they update every fortnight. I’ll provide a summary of the updated information every two weeks, as well as other notable events not mentioned; but you can click on the link for more details: Timeline Key Events: 1940’s: WWIi continues, cancelling animal imports 1942: Improvements to diets see the zoo's monkey population increase 1948: A Polio outbreak sees the zoo ban children, reducing admissions 1949: The zoo's first Kiwi is exhibited 1949: Curator Lt Col. E.R. Sawer retires; Robert W. Roach is appointed Not Mentioned but Notable Events: 1941: Twin lion cubs are born, noted to be the 19th and 20th offspring of their parents. 1943: Ginger Rodgers (Sumatran orangutan) dies. The zoo won't hold orangutans again for 13 years. 1944: En Zed (first second generation hippo) is born to Dimazulu and Nada. 1946: Dimazulu (Common hippopotamus) dies after choking to death on a rubber ball thrown by a visitor. 1946: The eighth Common hippopotamus calf is born at Auckland Zoo, which the director believes is a world record. 1948: Pairs of Kea are sent to San Diego Zoo in exchange for North American animals. 1949: 2.1 young Polar bears (Brutus, Natuk and Natasha) arrive via an animal dealer.
Auckland Zoo (1950’s) The fortnightly timeline has been updated with events of the 1950’s. They missed out several high profile events, so I’ve researched a few additional events worthy of mention in addition to the one’s included here: Timeline Key Events: 1959 - 2.2 Common chimpanzees arrive (Nick, Charlie, Sissy and Little Jane). 1959 - Snorkle the Common hippopotamus is born. 1958 - Robert W. Roach resigns as curator; George Dean is appointed as acting curator. 1958 - Dr Colwyn Smith is appointed as veterinarian. 1957 - Piwi the Polar bear is accidentally drowned by her mother at 11 weeks. 1957 - Twin Polar bear cubs are born to Natasha (surviving cub named Piwi). 1957 - Kassala the Indian elephant is sold to Bullens Circus. 1956 - 1.1 Sumatran orangutans arrive (Topsy and Turvey). 1956 - 1.3 Common chimpanzees arrive (Janie, Minnie, Josie and Bobby). 1956 - 45 crocodiles are imported from Singapore and Belgium. 1956 - The zoo states it’s intention to import gorillas (which sadly never happens). 1954 - Leopard triplets are born (including one melanistic cub). 1954 - Jamuna the elephant accidentally kills a keeper. 1954 - Bella the Common hippopotamus dies following a fight with another hippo. 1952 - An American black bear escapes, but is safely recaptured after being herded into a vacant hyena cage. 1952 - Kassala the Indian elephant arrives. 1951 - 2.1 Polar bears arrive (Brunus, Natuk and Natasha).* 1950 - Khama the Common hippopotamus is born. 1950 - A leopard is shot after it escapes it cage. *These bears were incorrectly reported as arriving in 1949 in my previous post.
Auckland Zoo - Timeline Update Auckland Zoo have updated their timeline with information from the 1960’s and 1970’s: Timeline Significant events include (most not mentioned on the timeline ): 1960’s: 1960 - New Director (Derek Wood from Chester Zoo) 1960 - Arrival of John the giraffe (first giraffe since the 1920’s) 1960 - Birth of Chimo the Polar bear 1961 - Arrival of Malini the Indian elephant 1962 - Death of Natasha the Polar bear 1963 - Arrival of Anita the giraffe (first female giraffe) 1963 - Chimpanzee tea parties end 1964 - Joachim and Lisbeth the Polar bears arrive 1964 - Death of Jamuna the Indian elephant 1964 - Suzie the Common chimpanzee is born 1965 - Birth of Peter the giraffe (zoo’s first calf) 1966 - Bonnie the Common hippopotamus arrives 1968 - Arrival of Ma Schwe the Indian elephant 1970’s: 1970 - Sally the Common chimpanzee is born 1971 - Death of Malini the Indian elephant 1971 - Kiwi House opens 1972 - Kashin the Indian elephant arrives 1972 - Zoo celebrates 50th anniversary 1973 - Western Springs expansion is completed 1975 - Faith the Common hippopotamus is born 1975 - Kahiroa the giraffe is born (zoo’s first surviving calf) 1977 - Faith the Common hippopotamus escapes 1979 - Chimo the Polar bear dies
