CHAPTER XXXII
ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, BASLE: DIRECTOR, DR. HAGMAN
In October, 1870, when the Basle Ornithological Society was founded, the institution of a Zoological Garden was taken into consideration. In January, 1873, an initiatory committee was called together to found one. The call quickly found numerous friends. On February 20, 1873, a Society was formed for the purpose, among others, of founding a Zoological Garden. In May of the same year the work was taken in hand. The first animals’ house, the restaurant, and the Director’s dwelling were built by local architects, and grounds were laid out. On July 3, 1874, the opening of the Garden took place. Like all similar institutions, in the first year of its existence the Garden had to contend with financial difficulties, and in 1876 the liberality of the whole of the inhabitants of the town was required to keep it going. All the many patrons and friends who from that time gave the Garden their generous support earned the warmest gratitude.
The site of the Garden was the property of the public infirmary, and it was leased to the Society until 1891, when it was acquired by the State. By a grant made on September 5, 1891, this ground was given as a present to the Company for its sole use.
Owing to its position, situated as it is in a dense forest of fir, elm, and birch trees, this Garden is quite one of the prettiest in Europe. The houses are built in the picturesque Swiss-cottage style, and through the Garden run little rivulets and waterfalls. The collection of animals, although not large, is decidedly good.
AVIARY, BASLE.
Turning to the left after passing the entrance-gate, we wend our way through a shady wood, in which are enclosures for storks, herons, and ducks. There are some pretty houses for deer, notably one with an outside paddock, containing a herd of caribou of all ages. In another pen was a kangaroo with a baby in its pouch, the first I have seen in captivity outside our London Garden. The lion house is small, and contains a pair of lions, three pumas, and some other smaller animals. The elephant house is built in Moorish style, and contains a large Indian elephant, a tapir, and some Burchell’s zebras. There are a quantity of bird aviaries, moose and zebra yards, wild-swine sheds, and a monkey house containing the seldom seen orang from Borneo. On the occasion of my visit, it being a very hot day, this ape was allowed his liberty, and sat perched high up in a tree under the watchful eye of his keeper.
CARIBOU, BASLE.
There was a large paddock containing some Shetland ponies, and several other minor houses and aviaries, including a pretty pigeon-house; but the visitor will be most struck by the pretty, shady walks, the trees and waterfalls, and by the abundance of grass and flowers. The animals all looked sleek and fit, well fed and cared for.