AUCKLAND ZOO

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 10

AUCKLAND ZOO

FURTHER EXHIBITS ARRIVING Dominion Special. Auckland, November 28. Several interesting exhibits for Auckland Zoo will arrive by the steamer Mahana on Tuesday. A brown bear is the largest specimen in the shipment, two Gelades baboons, a pair of spider monkeys, a pair of Mandrill monkeys, and a Ocelot cat completing the collection as far as the animal world is concerned. For the aviaries of the zoo there are a pair of Magellan geese, two pairs of white swans, five pairs of fancy ducks, and a pair of peacock pheasants. The exhibits are part of a collection purchased in England bv the town clerk (Mr. J. S Brigham). Yet to be shipped are a pair of cheetahs, a pair of oryx, and «n ant eater, which will become a mate for the specimen at . present in the zood. They reached England too late to be included in the Mahana shipment, while one of the pair of cheetahs died while awaiting shipment. To feed the animals and birds on their long journey from London to New Zealand a varied menu had to be prepared. For the specimens with clamtv palates the Mahana took on board 18 dozen lettuces, 70 dozen bananas, three cases of apples, and 1201 b. of grapes. More weighty fare included 1171 b. of beef, hundredweight of carrots, wheat, millet and hemp seed. For the monkeys a sack •of peanuts was shipped. The collection was made by Mr. George Chapman, of London, and it is under the charge of Mr. Mayer, who is also bringing to New Zealand with him a pair of chimpanzees. The Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon) said the council would have to look at the chimpanzees and if they were satisfactory and terms could be arranged the council would probably secure them for the zoo. Mr. Brigham had advised' him that chimpanzees were a great attraction at all the zoos he Jiad visited. Young emus that were hatched recently at the zoo are doing well and give' every appearance of growing into strong healthy birds. The hatching season has also been responsible for many other additions to the aviaries, and the appearance of the youngsters with their proud mothers creates a great den! of interest for visitors.