MANAGEMENT OF ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS Supply of Animals.—A certain number of wild animals are born in captivity and from time to time the possession of a suc cessful stock enables one collection to supply many others. At one time London was able to supply many Continental gardens with giraffes, and Dublin and Antwerp have had great successes with lions, whilst antelopes, sheep and cattle, deer and equine ani mals are always to be found breeding in one collection or another. But wild animals have to be obtained to replenish the stock. The conditions of success are that the wild creatures should be ob tained as young as possible, kept in their native localities until they have become accustomed to man and to such food as they can be given at their ultimate destinations.
The areas occupied vary from about 3ooac. (New York) to about Sac. (Clifton, England). In the larger gar dens, however, the greater part of the space is engaged by a few extensive enclosures for numerous herds of herbivorous animals. With regard to situation, the ideal would be to have the collection placed in the open country, far from centres of population. But as menageries are supported for the public and in most cases by the public, such a site is impractical, and if the soil, drainage and exposure are reasonably good, experience shows that a thriving collection may be maintained near a large town.
The first requisite is strict attention to cleanliness. A collection of animals must be compared with public institutions such as barracks or infirmaries. There must be an abundant sup ply of fresh air and of water, and a drainage system as complete as possible. The buildings should be constructed on the most modern hospital lines, with smooth walls and rounded corners, so that complete cleansing and disinfecting is possible. Sunlight
is even more important than warmth and the London zoological society has led the way in the use of glass transparent to ultra violet rays, and of powerful electric light when there is no sun. New arrivals should be quarantined, until it is certain that they are in a satisfactory condition of health.
The food must be as varied as possible, and special attention should be given to the frequency and quantity of the supply. It is important that no more should be supplied at a time than is necessary, as most animals rapidly foul their food, and except in a few special cases, wild animals are peculiarly liable to the evil results of stale or putrid substances. Quantities can be learned from experience, and from watching individual cases; fre quency varies within very wide limits, from reptiles which at most may feed once a week and fast for long periods, to the smaller insectivorous birds which require to be fed every two or three hours. and which in the winter dark of northern latitudes must be lighted up once or twice in the night to have the opportunity of feeding. Knowledge of the habits of animals and experience are the best guides. Many authorities attempt to restrain visitors from feeding the animals in their charge, but such a re striction, even if practicable, is not all gain, for animals in captivity are less inclined to mope, and are more intelligent and tamer, if they become accustomed to regard visitors as pleasant sources of tit-bits. (See also AVIARY, AQUARIUM.)