SOL A. STEPHAN 
T HE photograph opposite, is that of Mr. Sol A. Stephan, 
general manager of the Zoo. Mr. Stephan in his early life 
was connected with a circus, and arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo 
on the day of its opening, September 18, 1875, bringing an 
elephant to the Zoo, which had been purchased from the circus 
with which he was connected. He was supposed to stay with the 
elephant for three days, until its new keeper could be instructed 
as to its care. In fact, Mr. Stephan had signed a contract to go 
to South America with the circus, and was supposed to sail from 
New York within several weeks after his arrival here. Difficulties 
w T ere encountered, however, in the care of the elephant, and 
everv man whom the Zoo officials at that time tried to train to 
become its keeper was afraid of it. Mr. Stephan was induced to 
stay a few days longer, from time to time, and, as is well known, 
has been connected with the Zoological Garden ever since the 
time of his arrival on the opening day. On the day of the open¬ 
ing of the Zoo, the only animals on exhibition in addition to the 
elephant were a tiger and a blind hyena. None of the buildings 
was completed, and the few animals here were then stored in 
crates. 
Mr. Stephan, by reason of his long training and experience, 
is recognized throughout the world as an expert in all matters 
pertaining to animals, and his advice is constantly being sought 
by those who have perplexing animal problems to solve. It is 
the privilege of but few men to see an enterprise grow under 
their supervision from its inception until it has reached a place 
in its development where it is recognized as one of the best of 
its kind in the world, and this privilege has been given to Mr. 
Stephan through his long connection with the Cincinnati 
Zoological Garden. — c. G. M. 
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