MR. LE SOEUF'S REPORT

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1128, 16 May 1911, Page 5

MR. LE SOEUF'S REPORT

ON NEWTOWN ZOO. SCHEME OF MODERN MENAGERIE HOW TO ATTAIN IT. Tho anticipated report on (lie Newtown "Zoo" by Ur, A. K. Lc Rocuf, Director nf the Sydney Zoo, who was brought: over to ■Wellington for the purpose oi' inspection, was circulated .yesterday. Tho garden?, says Mr. Lo Socuf, aro well situated and adapted for .their ptirPose, in that tho hilly nature of the! ground, character of (ho soil, water tupply, and pond accommodation are all that can be required. Generally speaking, hoivever, (hero are too many trees around Hie animals' enclosures, nr.d they aro of the wrong kind. The animals ara health}' and well cared for, but, in some instances am too fat, notably tho camel, sea-lion, and tlm emu. Tho eiiclosnro for tho running birds, hawks, and small birds, and the sea-lion are good tvpes, though tho lions' dens, being of wood, are 111 some danger of fire. The fences of the deer paddocks .ire not strong enough for this class of animal, though they otherwise fill requirements. Expeiuo in upkeep can 1« saved by making ■ill shelter-houses, and many of trie cnCiosures, of earth, stone, or reinforced concrete, and, in V.omo cases, excavating them into tho side, of a hill. Wooden structures hold vermin, require painting, and generally givo an artificial appearance to the animals' quarters. The modern tendency is to get rid of tho appearMice of the cage, and the object in the future should be to develop tho institution on modern lines.

Futuro Progress—What Linos? The foregoing is Mr Lo Soeuf's general summary, and lio then proceeds to deal with the "Zoo" in detail. In the development of the chosen site lie urges that it would bo advisable to have a scparalo section for each laige order of animals, nllov.hg ample space for future requirements. Tlio orders to bs provided for would be:—Monkeys, carnivoru, hoofed animals, rodents, marsupials, running birds, scratching birds, perching birds, wading birds, swimming birds, birds of prey, cockntoos and parrots, reptiles, fish, and insects. Orders such as scratching and perching birds, and wading mid swimming birds can well bo run together. This method adds _ to (ho educational value of the collection, and enables tho economic importance of each group to ba described collectively on labels. Further interest can bo obtained for each exhibit by staling any point of interest or striking characteristic. Points which should be considered in selecting positions for tho exhibits should bo the northerly aspect (as far as possible), and good drainage; also space for surrounding paths, at least lOtt. wide.

The Right Kind of Enclosures, In the enclosures, the object lo be aimed at is to .make them suited to the requirements of tho species, and to mask the appearance of a cage. Whenever possible, the enclosures should be excavated into the side of ti hill, with a moat In front, instead of a fence. If planter! round with shrubs and creeping plants such enclosures do not suggest captivity. There should not bo anything bright or gaudy which will detract from the exhibit itself. The wooden structures now in uso should gradually bo dispensed with. Hoofed animals can he enclosed with wood and iron fences, but slicker houses should bo of stone, or excavated. Mr. Lo Soeuf then proceeds to givo specifications of quarter? for tho carmvora. TUpso allow a ground spaco or about 20 square feet, walls about 15ft. high with 2ft. overhang, width of moat 28ft., depth of moat loft. Tho monkeysare at present well housed, but ruturo cages might bo higher. Running birds will,not uso houses, mid must bo provided with good tree shelter, and not bo allowed under pine trees unless plenty of 'grasHs available, as they often tat the dry leaves and sudor therefrom. All flying birds should havo open wire-netting cages, with thick tree or' bushwood shelter and protection' from tho wind, and with ornamental shrubs and water ponds as required. The present hawk cage, finch aviaries, and pheasant enclosures are suitable models, but, in the lastnamed, tho houses at tho hack aro not required. When many species aro displayed in tho samo cage, a label depict' ing some characteristic of each bird can bo displayed lo enable tho public to pick them out.

Even the Trees Play a Part. Planting is a very important feature-' in (lie development, scheme, and uiusli keep paw with the animal accommoda-j lion. Tlio objects aimed at should he' shelter for the collection, and beautificv tion of the grounds. The present schemo ■• wants considerable modification, for the thick groves of pino trees near Iho ani- • mal enclosures make a very grave risk of a forest fire sweeping the "whole show" , away. Mr. Le Soeuf recommend!; that; practically nil the pino trees bo taken/ out of the centra of tho grounds, especially near tho animal enclosures, and that ornamental trees' be substituted to act. as a breakwind. Selected varieties of-' eucalyptus and acacia, the grevillea to.' busla, pepper tree, oaks, elm, chestnut,' and many other varieties will do well in: this situation. Tho valleys, too, could bo filled with New Zealand treo ferns, and such palms as Washingtonins. and. Phoenix. Most of (he willows already, iu the gullies should be taken out, n'si specimen trees hero and there would give i a better effect. Tho edge of the loko and. island could bo ornamented with n. thick fringe of arum lilies (Callas). Beautiful foliage trees and ferns cost practically' nothing for upkeep, and they considerably enhance the value and attractiveness of tho sits. Feeding tho Captives, Tho feeding of tho animals requires j careful attention and well-seloclcd, clean., materials should always bo used. Tiles*' should bo stored in 'dry bins. A new" ' feed storo is very much required. This should contain galvanised iron receptacles' for various grain;-, and a raised platform for the storage of hay, etc. Jlueh harm is sometimes done by damp and musty foods. Mr. Le Soeuf then proceeds lo set out tho best foods for the. various inmates of tho "Zoo." The cost of feeding, ho says, should average 30s. per head per annum, and tho cost of attendance tlu same. It is probable (hat a. special oui« ployco would ho required for this- work. 1 Value of Advertising, It is nr-cossarv to keep the gardens well beforo the public, and to draw attention . to every possible item of interest through' tho newspapers, etc. A good refreshment room is also needed. As far as possiblo unattractive animals should not he kept, and those which sleep during the day should bo placed in an accessible position. At present the kiwis, tnntnras and opossums cannot be seen and their undoubted ■ interest is lost'. Management and Staff, The staff required will be a sccrcfary, foreman, keepers, and gardener. Tho dulies of the secretary would bo to attend Jo advertising, sales, and purchases of animals, ordering of stores, plant, and. material, payment of wages and - peltv cash, keeping of account books, stockbooks, and general correspondence. The foreman would be responsible for the feeding and care of the collection, distribution of fond to the keepers, care of tho working tools, etc. In .Mr. Le Soeuf's opinion .1. Langridgo, the present man in charge, is well suited for his post. Each keeper should have a separate section to attend to, and be personally responsible (o the foreman for the care of that' section. "Zoos" the world over aro managed by that section of the community who have, interest in public affairs, a. knowledge of animals, horliculture, and business methods, and who will give time to their development and care. The responsible board or committee requires to be in close touch with the institution in order to develop the policy evenly and get the best results. "Jt is possible," Mr. Le Soouf concludes, "that tho Reserves Committee of tho City Council would find it helpful to have in consultation persons specially in'crested in zoology."