ZOO EXECUTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1931, Page 8

ZOO EXECUTIONS

SHOOTINGS AT AUCKLAND. OLD ANIMALS TO GO. AUCKLAND, April 11. The destruction of some of the aged and infirm animals at the Zoological Park lias been decided upon by tbe zoo authorities, and the first two beasts to be removed, a. black bear and an American bison, have been shot by order of tho parks committee of the City Council. They were very old and could no longer be regarded as attractive animals. Zoo officials stated yesterday that the destruction of some of the more unsightly and unhealthy animals was a necessary part of zoo economy, as the food they consumed in a year added substantically to the annual expense, and the older an animal became the greater the burden it cast upon the staff, which was called upon to devote more time and attention to its health and well-being. The black bear which lias been killed, was one of the bears exhibited in the old Boyd collection, housed for some years at Royal Oak. Tts precise age was not known, but it was a fairly ancient specimen when acquired by tho municipal authorities in 1922 and had been ailing lately. The bison, ono of three bulls in tbe park, was the first buffalo presented to Auckland by Canadian National Parks and was not »•«- garded as a, very good specimen. The flesh of the two destroyed beasts was used to feed the other animals. Two young Bengal tigers Irn*o been born at the zoo—the offsni'iii" of Rni > and Molly, Other recent births at the zoo include three hlnckbuek. Tli additions bring the family at file zoo to seven in number. Tim father of ththree young ones unfortunately die' l before their birth.