ZOOLOGISCHER GARTEN, LEIPZIG: DIRECTOR, DR. ERNST PINKERT
The Zoological Garden in Leipzig has gradually worked itself up from very small beginnings to its present greatness and extent. It was, indeed, the present Director, Herr Ernst Pinkert, who, so to speak, laid the foundation-stone in 1876 with a little house for crocodiles. Through his energy and business activity, he succeeded in a relatively short time in bringing the Garden up to its present high standard, and in creating an institution for which the Leipzig people are much indebted to him.
In 1899 Herr Pinkert’s incessant energy and organization were rewarded by the Garden being purchased by a company of shareholders, who appointed him Director.
The Company of the Zoological Garden ended its first business year at the end of 1899. Allowing for the unavoidable disturbances caused by storms in the summer and by new buildings being erected, the first year was financially a success. The report for 1899 showed a clear profit of £403. Whilst the Ashanti Exhibition was being held on June 4 the Garden was visited by 19,718 persons, constituting a record day. During the year 196,388 people entered the Garden, exclusive of family season-ticket holders, who numbered 688 of the shareholders.
Picture-postcards, programmes, and guide-books brought in £85. The stock of animals at the end of 1899 included 14 monkeys, 110 carnivorous animals, 135 rodents, 1 elephant, 96 cloven-footed animals, 3 hoofed animals, 8 kangaroos, and 1 duck-billed platypus.
Sixty animals were presented to the Garden, and the following were born in it: 8 lions, 1 jaguar, 2 leopards, 10 hyænas, 1 white Angora cat, 5 Gordon setters, 12 fox-terriers, 3 silver rabbits, 15 common rabbits, 15 Angora guinea-pigs, 25 common guinea-pigs, 2 bisons, 1 beisa antelope, 1 zebu, 2 dwarf zebus, 1 yak, 1 wapiti, 1 axis deer, 1 Japanese deer, 1 guanaco, 1 llama, 7 sheep, 2 kangaroos, 5 peacocks.
The losses by death were, however, considerable, 9·2 per cent. of the stock being lost during the year.
Of the more valuable animals were lost: 2 young male lions, 1 female puma, 1 brown bear, 1 chimpanzee, 1 male mandril, 1 llama, 1 male elk, 1 pair of axis deer, 1 wapiti cow, 1 young male bison.
Miss Claire Heliot, with her nine lions and two dogs, proved a great attraction between July 22 and September 3. The number of members on the committee was raised from nine to ten. A large main building was proposed, which should contain a restaurant, a concert-hall, etc. A fodder-house, a Director’s house, and several animal houses were built. Herr Rust, the architect, was entrusted with the carrying out of these important works. The fodder building, thanks to a mild winter, was ready for use by the beginning of May, and proved most useful. The other buildings made satisfactory progress. On May 10 the foundations of the large main building were laid. The Director’s house was nearly finished. The concert-garden was planted with stately trees. No less than £25,000 were spent upon these improvements.
In 1900 the clear profit was £600; 244,914 people entered, besides 831 season-ticket holders. Miss Heliot, the celebrated lion-tamer, on August 5 attracted the record number, 17,197 people paying to see her show.