In November, 1862, the greater part of the buildings were finished. The Directors, however, were obliged to issue more shares in order to enable them to make other buildings, and especially an aquarium. This new issue of capital was authorized on November 20, and within twenty-four hours the new shares were all taken up.
On May 26, 1863, the company presented the Garden, brightly decorated for the occasion, to the shareholders, and on the following day it was opened to the public. On July 6, 1863, the Garden suffered an irreparable loss in the sudden death of its President, Baron von Merck, who was greatly regretted by the whole of Hamburg. A bust was placed in the concert-hall to commemorate him.
In 1864 the Direction was authorized to build a Winter Garden and a large restaurant. The aquarium, a rectangular building 26 by 11 metres in size, was opened April 26, 1864. The floor is laid deep under the surface of the earth to insure an even temperature all the year round. Spring and autumn are the best times to transport fish to the aquarium, as in the extreme heat of summer many die.
Presents flowed in from all parts of the world every year. Herr Meyer presented the Garden with the owl tower. A second small-cats’ house was presented by General Consul Gustav Mutzenbecher.
In the spring of 1885 the society had to bewail the loss of another President, Dr. Schwartze, who had acted as chairman of the society for many years. Dr. Heinrich Bolau is now Director of the Garden.
In December, 1899, there were 468 animals, 1,749 birds, and 187 reptiles in the Garden; 46 animals and 162 birds were bred in it.
In 1900 the income was £16,109 16s., exceeding that of the year before by £651.
Not only does the Liverpool of Germany possess one of the largest Zoological Gardens, but also the fifth most valuable collection of animals in Europe.
