Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 30 May 1922, page 8


THE "BEAUMARIS" ZOO.

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ITS REMOVAL TO THE DOMAIN.

THE SCHEME.

In common with the capital cities of other Australian States, Hobart, in a short time, will be in possession of a

very attractive zoo. Since the City Council took over the late Mrs. H

Robert's collection of animals and birds From the trustees of her estate. A suit able site has been selected, a curator

appointed and plans prepared for the zoo, and it is expected that within a month or two the animals will be esta-blished on the domain.

As will be remembered the Council decided upon the site of the old quarry |near Government House where an area

of five and three quarter acres of land has bee set apart. Tender for the fencing of this site closed yesterday.

Mr. A. R. Reid, the curator, is leav ing Hobart today for the mainland

where he will spend about eighteen days visiting the zoos at Sydney, Mel bourne, and Ballarat, inspecting the col-lections and gaining experience in the

methods of management. It is also his intention to arrange for the exchange of animals and birds. Upon his return he will advise as to the nature of the cages and enclosures for the reception of the birds and animals, and superin-

tend the movement of the collection to the Domain.

As soon as the outside fence, eight feet in height, has been completed the work of creating the cages and sheds will be commenced. The Reserves De partment of the City Council

charge of the works, and provision is is being made for as much space as is poss

ible for both birds and animals. The eagle cage, for instance, will be

18 feet high by about 30 feet long, in order to give the big birds all possible freedom, and other cages will be con

structed on a similar scale. Cages and pens will he made of wood, iron and wire netting. An office will be built on the outside. Mr Reid will live close to his charges.

The cccc is to be made as comprehensive as is possible, though as Mr L. ? Lipcombe, Superintendant of Reserves,

said yesterday, "they will have to find their way" for such things can't be done hurriedly. In addition to ex-changing animals with other zoos the mainland, it is intended in the future to secure animals and birds from

all parts of the world, the idea being to have the collection as representative and therefore attractive as possible. It is not the intention, however, to import animals until it is seen that those al

ready in captivity are progressing satis-factororily. The grounds of the zoo will extend from the Government House road through the quarry to the road at the back, and possibly up to and as far as the powder magazine. A promise of some red and yellow deer has been re-ceived, and the animals will be run on the grassy slopes at the top side of the quarry. In addition, local people in the possession of animals or birds have offered their captives, and these will be added to the collection. It is hoped that in a few years the zoo will vie with many on the mainland for its at-tractiveness and scientific value.

The animals at present at Beaumaris zoo are doing exeptionally well under Mr

Reids expert care. Unfortunately the Tasmanian devils which Mrs Roberts so Successfully reared in captivity, and which have been gradually dwindling for the past year or so, have all died out, but an offer of a pair has been re-ceived, and accepted. The Taasmanian "tiger" or wolf was very poor some months ago, but with a change of diet has picked up wonderfully. The kan-garoos, wallabies, opossums and other animals and birds are in the very best

condition.