SYDNEY’S ZOO.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1925, Page 1

SYDNEY’S ZOO.

I.EOI’ARDS \M) .1 Ai U'ARS. SYDNEY. July 10. _ Tlit- ;i ill lii• ril ies <>l tin* Tarutiga Park Zoological Gardens in Svilncy art' justifiably ]>i-(• mi .>l' Llio beautiful domain which is iu their Ui*o|>i iiti- Homes, opened with ceremony liy the Premier during (In* walk, have been designed and built by unemployed soldiers, where jiigitni-s. leopards ami i>limits are in I'ldl \ icu of I lie public wil limit iniervening iron bars. 'I his is in keeping v.illi the general scheme a! Taronga park, where, on the slopes and among the pict is rest) ne rocks I hi- animals are housed wil limit liars, and under renditions approxiin.il mg a - nearly as po.--si bio to their nalural surroundings. One ol' tile most noted spots on ihe northern shore ol the lutrhotir. and an especially beautiful place under 'lie dazzling brilliance ol a sunny day, villi ■ lie aide sweep ol the harbour at the fool: Cl it. ami with every facility for pieuir parties, li.is latest improvement will give tin- zoo an added .U----traelivei ess. People win. visit tlie w«> for the first time view with some timidilv the lions and the I inters and the other members ol the carnivorous lantilv. who without bars to sepal ale them from the public, would appear at first njame to have little or no ddiienltyr by the exercise.of their natural agilitv. in leaping across to the !>ath ami swallowing up all and xitn'iry with tragic- quickness. I rue enough, only a moat soon rates them from the dainty human morsels who gaze at them, hut the moat is wide enough ami deep enough to keep them safely at hay. These enclosures, unique iu Australian zoos, 'have lor the most part been M::sti a d out ol solid rr.ck. with sui»oistructures of reinforced concrete, designed to resemble rock bo mat mils. The authorities are especially proud ol the new. natural like homes lor the jan uni's, leopards ami pumas, for. ow.;,m to their remarkable anility, and their habit of making a tremendous ricochet spring fi'om a wall or othei perpendicular Object. n has hitherto been considered unsafe Jo attempt to 'exhibit these animals ill anythin.!! ml strong. iron-burred cages. Now. in their open, moated homes they ate lmppv. <>f the two leoparos pmytnc with each other, immediately alter they had taken possession of then* new qUlllters. one of the daily papers secured a j,id lire full of tender human appeal.