ZOOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY 
BULLETIN 
Published by the New York Zoological Society 
VoLuME XXIV 
SEPTEMBER, 1921 
NuMBER 5 
FAR-DISTANT 
ZOOLOGICAL 
PARKS 
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, at Pretoria 
Illustrated with Official Photographs by the South African Railways 
By A. K. Haaener, Director 
HESE are the oldest Zoological Gardens 
in South Africa, having been founded in 
1900, when the few living animals got 
together by the then Director of the Transvaal 
Museum in the yard of the old building on Mar- 
ket Square, were moved down to the present 
site. This was Government Ground, known as 
“Rus-in-Urbe,’ and it contained two dwelling 
houses which were once used as boarding estab- 
lishments for the Government Boarding School 
(called the Gymnasium School, not for distant). 
These dwelling houses eventually became the 
residences of the Director and Assistant, respec- 
tively. 
The commencement of the Zoo was very mod- 
est, the entrance gate being a single narrow 
one of wood with the word ‘Dierentuin” painted 
on a board above it. The first buildings con- 
sisted of a small wooden cage of two partitions 
for monkeys, another similar one for baboons, 
a series of wood and iron aviaries and a corru- 
gated iron building of four compartments open- 
ing into four large wire netting paddocks, for 
antelope. Nothing remains today of these 
buildings, which were pulled down and the ma- 
terial utilized for various smaller buildings as 
the old ones were replaced by more imposing 
and substantial structures. 
To the late Dr. J. W. B. Gunning, the first 
Director, belongs the honour of founding the 
institution, and his keenness and energy induced 
the Government to give it an annual grant, which 
was eventually increased to its present day 
amount of £6,000. The Institution is governed 
by a Committee or Board of Management 
appointed by the Government and consisting of 
public men, government officials and municipal 
representatives. The late Mr. Andrew John- 
ston was Chairman for twenty years, and he 
was largely instrumental in producing the rapid 
growth of the Gardens, repeatedly collecting 
money for much needed buildings or improve- 
ments. He also personally contributed consid- 
erably to the funds. Mr. Harry Jorissen, 
Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, succeed- 
ed Mr. Johnston as Chairman, and takes an 
active interest in the Institution. 
Besides the Government grant and gate en- 
trance fees, the Institution receives a small mu- 
nicipal grant, and a small fund from annual 
subscribers, chiefly mercantile firms of the town. 
A band or orchestra plays in the grounds every 
Sunday afternoon, and the tea gardens are 
spacious and pleasantly situated under the shade 
of a clump of eucalyptus trees. 
The Gardens are noted for the lovely shaded 
avenues of stately trees, the beautiful flower- 
beds, its sub-tropical aspect and general “‘lay- 
out.” The area in use at present comprises 
some forty acres, and there is another portion 
of thirty acres on the north side of the Aapies 
River (which traverses the grounds from east 
to west), for further extension in the future. 
The collection of animals usually numbers 
1,600 specimens, composed of 600 mammals, 900 
birds and 100 reptiles and fishes. 
Among the more noteworthy groups are a 
fine collection of South African antelopes, and 
an equally fine array of South African birds 
of prey and South African game birds. The 
series of lions and leopards is very good, and 
most of the South African carnivores are rep- 
resented. 
The avaries are spacious, and of ample size 
to contain well grown trees and shrubs. 
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