The Philadelphia Zoo

Illustrated Guide and Hand-Book of the Zoological Garden of Philadelphia

Second Edition, 1877

Ewin E. Hulfish

Introductory.

I.--Zoological Gardens of Europe

The advantages of zoological gardens as places of amusement, instruction, and recreation will hardly be disputed at this day, when we find them such great objects of interest in most of the capitals of Europe. London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Dublin, and others, all rejoice in their collections of animals, which are also the wonder and delight of strangers and travelers; and while none of these are very old institutions, yet the frim, deep rooth they have taken, wherever planted, proves them to be among the needs of human nature of all classes, and that zoological gardens form the most agreeable places of popular resort, while their importance as a means of education for the masses in an interesting and useful branch of natural history is fully recognized and freely admitted by the most cultured men of the age throughout the world.

Of the zoological gardens in Europe that of Regent's Park, London, desrvedly ranks first, for the size--as well as the quality--of its collection, and the admirable system of its management. Scattered everywhere are its corresponding members, keeping it advised of every opportunity to augment its stores. Its agents have penetrated, and are still exploring, the desert and the jungle--braving the heat of the equator and the terrible winters of the ice-bound regions of the globe--to furnish every possible link in the grand procession of organized life. The great interest taken in the London Society is shown in the fact that the donations to it during the year 1872 alone amounted to over five hundred in number, including almost every description of animal, from a tier to amonkey, and from a blad eagle to a humming-bird,--in quantity enough to establish a good-sized garden almost anywhere.

The zoological garden of Paris ranks next to that of Regent's Park, London. It was only opened to the public in 1863. Here are to be seen a complete collection of animals from every climet, a magnificent aquarium, and an extensive silkworm nursery. The institution, however, is not self-supporting, the government bearing a large portion of the expenses.

The Berlin garden is very complete; that at Vienna, splendid for appointments as well as for its fine collection, is rapidly becoming a rival to the London and Paris gardens, and one of the greatest attractions of the Vienna collection is said to be the North American Beaver.

It would seem needless to enumerate other institutions; suffice it to say, that when we see cities such as Amsterdam, Frankfort, and Dublin,--cities not so large as Philadelphia,-- supporting, by voluntary contributions, first-class zoological gardens, we see no reson why Philadelphia, with all its taste, wealth, enterprise, and advantages, should not in time possess one of the finest institutions in the world.

II.--The Zoological Society of Philadelphia.

This was incorporated in 1859, the number of members being but thirty-six, who were also incorporators. A site in the East Park was first selected, but before any advance at establishment had been made, the terrible civil war broke out, and while passing through that the project was laid aside for the weightier matters at once to be taken up. That cloud, however, dark as it was, passed over, and the country relieved of its great trouble, the friends of the enterprise at once entered upon the long-retarded work.

The site chosen in 1859, in the East Park, was found much too small and inconvenient when the work ws again commenced, and a much more commodious and available piece of ground was selected in the West Park, matchless for the beauty of its position and its magnificent century-old trees. It is thirty-three acres in extent, with a fine river front, and in every way well calculated for the desired purpose, and has, indeed, proved an admirable location in every respect. On June 5th, 1873, a perpetual lease of the land was made to the Society by the Park Commissioners, and work was at once commenced. Fences, cages, and houses were erected, and in due time birds, beasts, and reptiles began to arrive,--mostly through donation,--and, indeed, faster than the Society, with all its energy, could prepare for them. Though the managers were disinclined to opening until in a better condition to do so, yet the demand on the part of the public was so pressing that the event was allowed to take place July 1st, 1874, to the general satisfaction of a vast concourse of visitors, since which time the daily attendance has increased in number, while the interest for the welfare of so desirable an institution has in no way abated, but, on the contrary, much increased; and for the past year it may be safely said the visitors passing through the gates have averaged one thousand per day. And this, be it remembered, includes the winter months.

We hear, now and then, an expression that the Garden should be free to the public. This would be impossible, unless there was a permanent fund of at least $500,000; and those persons who ask for an institution of this magnitude, to be kept up without cost to the public, take very little account o the vast expense of the undertaking, in the various buildings required, the daily subsistence and guardianship of the animals, to say nothing of the enormous sums paid for rare specimens.

During the present season several important additions have been made to the Garden, among which will be found the Pachydermata House,--a substantial and commodious home for the elephants, rhinocerso, giraffes, and other large and valuable animals which require special quarters,--three Seal Ponds, a new Restaurant, and two beautiful Entrance-Houses on the north near Girard avenue, all of which are worthy of spepcial notice of the visitor.

A line of carriage shelters have been erected near the Girard avenue entrance, which will accommodate thirty vehicles at one time.

The Society's collection has been steadily increasing, and the number of animals at the close of the fiscal year 1875-76 was 919, the appraised value of which was $50,251. Of Quadrupeds there were 342; Birds, 485; Reptiles, 74; Fish, 31; and since that date every day, almost, has added something of interest to the vast collection.

The cost of some of the buildings already erected is:

The Monkeky House: $6,486
The Bear Pits: 5,000
The Bird House: 5,720
The Eagle House: 2,000
The Carnivora House: 50,000
The Pachydermata House: 38,200
The Restaurant: 15,000
The Seal Ponds: 5,000

Thus it will readily be seen that the Zoological Society of Philadelphia intends to have everydepartment well represented and as complete as possible, with the best arrangement for the comfort of the animals and the pleasure of the visitors, and to make their Garden equal, if not surpass, those of kindred associations, wherever situated.

Owing to the changes and constant additions that are being made, visitors must not expect to find each and every animal in the place herein designated. In due time, howeve, the Society will fix, so far as possible, a permanent home for all.

To Friends Abroad:

Hopes are entertained that Congress will pass a bill admitting free of duty all beasts, birds, and reptiles intended for the Zoological Garden of Philadelphia. The Secretary of the Navy, November 14th, 1874, authorized and requested all commanders and other officers on foreign stations, to "aid the Zoological Society of Philadelphia in its laudable enterprise, so far as they can consistently, whenever such aid can be extended without detriment to themselves or the service."