In 1859 a beginning was made by a society of poultry-fanciers. They laid out a small Garden in the Ostra Avenue, which, although badly situated, found a good deal of favour with the public, and was successful financially. A committee of twenty gentlemen desirous of founding a Zoological Garden met in 1860 for the purpose of taking over the bird-fanciers’ Garden and adding to it, the intention being to issue shares under the name of the Zoological Garden Company of Dresden. His Majesty the King presented to the Company, through the Finance Minister, that part of the royal Garden known as the Poets’ Walk and reservoirs. The co-founder of the Zoological Garden in Berlin laid out the plans for the Garden, and the King and Queen and Royal household gave it their highest approbation. Every kind of wild animal was to be kept in as free a manner as possible. And the founders conceived the idea of laying out, between the animal buildings and the neighbouring houses, a park and garden for the public, so that, besides the interesting sight of the animals, there should also be a pleasant promenade.
A sum of £20,000 was spent on the laying out of the Garden, on the animals, and on buildings for them. The price of one share was £10, payable by instalments, and 2,000 shares were issued. The holder of one share was allowed free admittance to the Garden; the holder of two or more shares could enter with four of his family.
WAPITI BULL, DRESDEN.
The most flourishing period for all Zoological Gardens—when it became a mania to found Gardens in every town—began in the early sixties. Then there came a reaction. In 1859, 21,462 people paid to enter the old Garden at Dresden, paying £349; the cost of keeping it up was £236.
The site was a beautiful one. Thirty-nine animals and 184 birds came from the old poultry-fanciers’ Garden. The city architect was authorized to erect the buildings, which were commenced at once. In the autumn of 1860 a massive monkey house was begun, which at the same time could be used as a winter house for other small animals. This building cost about £1,248. A bear pit, built of stone, for three kinds of bears, cost £560, and some enclosures for deer and aviaries for eagles and vultures were erected. Additions were made to the old so-called restaurant in the shape of pavilions, a veranda, and a large hall. More animals were added, until the value of animals bought and given was estimated at upwards of £752.
On Ascension Day, May 9, 1861, the new Garden was opened in a heavy snowstorm. Since that day the management can look back with satisfaction on its history. But more than once has the Garden had to fight for its existence. To-day its financial affairs are satisfactory, its buildings in good repair, and its stock of animals richer than ever before.
A small-birds’ house was built in the winter of 1883. In 1884 a Himalayan bear had two cubs, one of which was an albino, absolutely white with pink eyes. It was often taken for a polar bear. It was very small when born, about the size of a large rat, and it developed very slowly. One day it fell into the bath and received a severe shock, trembling in every limb. Its mother, however, fished it out. The mamma bear fed its offspring on the nicest bits it could get, but the little one soon grew very cunning. This wonderfully rare animal was the pride of the whole Garden.
OUTSIDE THE LION HOUSE, DRESDEN.