In 1887 the receipts at the gate fell considerably; but this was balanced by the sale of lion cubs and other animals bred in the Gardens, which realized £260. A fine paddock and shelter for the red deer was constructed and the aquarium was improved. One hundred and forty-one lions had up to now been born in the Gardens, cubs realizing £45 each. Two moose were obtained in Canada, and presented by Mr. S. K. Twigg. In 1885 no less than twelve lion cubs were born, and six were disposed of for £100 in cash and £105 worth of other animals. An adult lion costs £15 a year to feed. Two thousand eight hundred pounds have now been obtained from the sale of lion cubs.
An event which had been looked forward to with much interest—namely, the birth of a young American bison—terminated fatally both to mother and calf. A fine young orang-outang was acquired, and was visited by thousands.
In 1889 the average price obtained for lion cubs was £42 10s. The total number of cubs born in the Gardens now stood at 145. A tiger died this year, but three tiger cubs were presented by Surgeon Henston, who secured them in a cave in India after having killed their parents. Two lion and two tiger cubs were to be seen living on the most friendly terms together in one cage. The orang-outang died.
THE LAKE, DUBLIN.
In 1891 the Gardens were visited by His Royal Highness the late Duke of Clarence on two occasions. Seven lions were born in the Gardens.
In 1892 a savage encounter took place between a lion and a tigress which had been placed in the same cage together. There were seven species of bear to be seen in the Gardens. The last of the large kangaroos died. The Gardens were visited by the Lord Lieutenant. The attempts to breed lion and tiger hybrids had up to now failed.
Amongst other animals acquired in 1893 was a jaguar, two hunting leopards, a black leopard, a tapir, a yak, a Bactrian camel, a female nylgai, and a male ostrich. Four hundred pounds were spent on the erection of a large outdoor aviary. One hundred and sixty-nine lion cubs had now been born in the Gardens, ‘Old Girl’ (from 1862 to 1873) producing no less than fifty-five and ‘Queen’ (from 1884 to 1891) twenty-eight. ‘Old Charley’ (between 1866 and 1874) was the father of forty-seven.
In 1895 her late Majesty Queen Victoria presented the Gardens with a fine young male lion. Various improvements were effected in the grounds. An island was formed in the lake, and a goat house and rockery were built. The Burchell’s zebra died of old age, having been twenty-one years in the Gardens. A chimpanzee and a white-tailed gnu were added to the collection. There were born in the Gardens during the year ten puma cubs, three lion cubs, one hog deer, two Barbary sheep, one llama, two red deer, and other smaller animals.
In 1896 alterations were made in the aquarium, which was built in 1868; an alligator pond and diving-bird cages and tanks were introduced into it. Since 1857 the large sum of £4,760 had been realized by the sale of lion cubs. A Cape hunting-dog had a litter of four puppies, but unfortunately they all died. A pair of Burchell’s zebras was added to the collection, and twenty-nine animals were born in the Gardens during the year.