The history of the Garden at Berlin is divided into three periods; the first embraces the time of preparation and the foundation, from 1841 to 1869.
This Zoological Garden is the third oldest in Europe, and the oldest of all the German Gardens. The credit of its foundation belongs to the well-known Berlin zoologist and African traveller Lichtenstein, who could hardly have realized his intentions had not the Prussian Royal House given its favour to this public-spirited undertaking. Not only is this shown by the opening mandate issued by Frederick William IV. on May 7, 1845, but by the presentation of the royal pheasantry to the Company of the Zoological Garden. At the same time the Emperor made a grant of £3,000 to the society, which was increased by £2,000. The greater part of the Emperor’s own animals and birds were also transferred to the Zoological Garden.
On August 1, 1844, the Garden was opened. For the first twenty-five years of its existence the arrangements were particularly modest. In March, 1846, there were not 100 kinds of animals in the Garden, and there were only half a dozen houses. In 1868 only 191 shares of £15 were taken up by the public. Owing to the then great distance from the town, the Garden progressed but slowly for a long time. In 1848 the income was only £900, and these first twenty-five years must count as the infancy of the Garden.
The second division of the Gardens development begins with the year 1869. Professor Peter, the successor of Dr. Lichtenstein, undertook, with the then Minister of Finance, Von der Heydt, to reconstruct the Company. A thousand new shares were issued in exchange for old ones. Estimates for the plans of large buildings were drawn up, and the direction was altered in a conspicuous manner, Doctor Bodinus, who came from Cologne, being placed regularly in charge of it. Imposing and artistic buildings were erected, and the lion house was altered so as to look like an African house.
In 1869 the restaurant was opened.
In 1870 a new lion house and bear pit were built; in 1872 an antelope house; in 1873 an elephant house; in 1874-75 a great concert-house; in 1883 a new monkey house was erected.
At the same time the Garden rose to the highest place in public favour, owing to its public concerts, which, until 1884, were held three times a week under the direction of Herr Wieprecht. In 1884 electric light was introduced. Daily double concerts were instituted at half-price, and brought a great number of people to the Garden. In 1900 the entrance money taken amounted to £27,321, and the season-tickets brought in £5,849. In 1884 Director Bodinus died. Dr. Max Schmidt was named as his successor, he having for twenty-five years looked after the Zoological Garden at Frankfort-on-Main. In 1888, however, he died, and Dr. Ludwig Heck, who came from the Zoological Garden at Cologne, was chosen as Director. In his first year he devoted his attention to increasing the stock of animals, with the result that now 25,000 living creatures are to be seen, including 12,000 species of animals and birds.
LLAMA AND MOUFFLON ROCKERY, BERLIN.
