210 THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF EUROPE 



These things do not happen now, as there is a 

 12-feet hi2:h wall all round the 80 acres. A sea- 

 lion did once get as far as the exit, some 300 yards 

 from its cage. When diving from a high platform 

 his impetus gave him his freedom. When that escape 

 was blocked he showed wonderful climbing po^N^ers, 

 getting over a barrier 6 feet high by using a corner. 

 However, his keeper stopped him finally, and turned 

 his powers to proper uses by adding the climbing 

 of a pole to his other tricks. He managed 6 feet. 



One other incident for a close. Three black-backed 

 jackals (two of which are still alive) were caged at the 

 Longsight end of the Gardens. Their cage-door was 

 left open in October, 1900 ; they got out, traversed 

 the whole length of the Gardens, and went out by the 

 Lake Hotel exit. They were seen some 200 yards 

 away outside, playing together. They returned to- 

 wards the Gardens ; one was headed off by some boys, 

 the other two entered as they had left (by the exit at 

 the extreme end of the large lake), and, retra versing 

 the Gardens, returned unmolested to their cage. (The 

 third was afterwards caught and returned to the 

 Gardens.) The above is so curious that it is perhaps 

 as well that the event is recent enough to be capable 

 of very full proof 



An extract from the Manchester Guardian of June 1, 

 1901, will form a fitting termination to this short 

 account of Belle Vue : 



' Of the zoological collection, the pride and boast of Belle Vue, it 

 is only necessary to say that in every department it is kept 

 thoroughly up to date. 



' Mr. John Jennison, the founder of the establishment, could not 



