Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-27
PRESERVING WILD ANNALS
Largest Geological Parks in the World in
New York and San Francisco.
NEW AND OLD METHODS coNTRASTED
Modern Plans n Radical Departure
from European systcms-Ani-
mails and Birds to Have
Unlimited Range.

The east and the west-New York and
San Francisco-are simultaneously putting
under way schemes OF civic Improvement
which, as far as the animal kingdom in
the United States is concerned. will have
far-reaching effects. Each of the cities men
toned has in contemplation a grand zoologi-
cal park, which for geographical extent and
ultimate utility will surpass anything Of the
kind now in existence. 1t is the contention
OF many scientists that no geological garden,
so called, fulflls the duties required of it.
The gardens of Europe, as well as those in
this country, are cramped affairs, the very
nature Of which interferes with the
scientific intention which should be back Of
them-that is, the preservation Of beasts and
birds In as nearly a wild state as Is possible,
the surer preservation Of forms nearly ex-
tinct, the propagation of animals which do
not now breed in captivity, the intelligent
study Of forms the habits of which are now
rather obscure. with these ideas in mind
New York has dedicated POI acres of Bronx
park, and San Francisco the whole of Mis-
sion park, 10 the purpose They will be
geological parks, as opposed to geological
gardens and the one in New York will be
the largest in the world.
Some idea OF the magnitude OF these enter
prises can be gained by a comparison with
the largest European geological gardens.
Tho Berlin garden, which is the largest OF
all, contains but sixty acres. Next in extent
is the Paris jardin discrimination II con-
tains fifty acres. Rotterdam has thirty-seven
acres; Hamburg, thirty-hve; London, thirty;
jardin des plantes, thirty; Amsterdam,
twenty-five; Cologne, twenty-five and one
half; Lelpsic, twenty; the rest, not worth
mentioning, are smaller. The grounds, gen
orally speaking, are crowded with buildings.
If attempts are made to exhibit the natural
haunts and habits Of the creatures confined
within they are necessarily crude and clumsy
because OF the lack of space. The grounds
in themselves are beautiful, and so, as far
al architecture Is concerned, are the animal
quarters, but the elements of comfort, ease
and liberty are enjoyed by the visitors and
not In sufficient extent by the animals. The
American idea of a geological park will revo-
lutionize this state OF affairs. Heretofore
large game animals, such as deer, ell. bison,
etc, have been kept In pens. In Bronx park
1t Is proposed to give the deer a rang Of
twenty acres. The buffalo range will be
twenty acres in extent and It will be ocau.
pied by twenty-five animals. The Jack rabbit
will occupy the same enclosure With the
bison and will have a splendid chance to
exercise its speeding propensitles. Sharp
tailed grouse will be enclosed with the elk
and sportsmen may have a chance to study
their habits at close range. %
AMERICAN ANIMALS AND BIRDS.
A truly notable feature Of the New York
enterprise will be the attention paid to
American animals and birds. This will, in
fact. be the great speciality of the institu-
ton. To preserve, propagate and exhibit
the lower inhabitants of this continent will
BE a noble object held always in view. 1t
is not enough that we possess a Yellowstone
park In which to harbor the last herd Of
wild bison. That herd is slowly but surely
decreasing, either through exposure, which
lack OF migration hastens, or through the
surreptitious efforts of misguided hunters.
There is supposed to be twenty-five wild
bison in that herd, but a tourist and ex-
perienCed Zoologist who recently returned
from the Yellowstone was able to count but
twenty. The bison Is only a single instance.
Our animals are disappearing rapidly, year
by year, and the time is fast approaching
when wild animals of any size in the United
States will be a rarity. Even Florida, which
used to boast Of its geological possessions,
particularly in the way of birds, is fast losing
the greater part Of its fauna. Under the
old system of gardens, all living remem-
brance of these animals and birds must pass
away. They can never be expected to breed
and continue the species II even the appear
ance Of freedom is denied them. We would
simply be sending many beautiful and char
acteristic animals to join the extinct aux
and dodo. On the other hand, the method
of exhibition must be truly scientific, but at
the same time within the comprehension OF
the masses. The way in which the beaver
will be treated will be a notable example OF
this modern system.
The American beaver Is, In the opinion
OF many noted BIOLOGISTS, the most intelli'
gent animal now living, not even excepting
the dog, the elephant, or the horse. Blu
naturally he does not live In a wild state
where humanity in general can closely OBJ
serve and become acquainted with his habits
Heretofore in geological gardens the struc
lures he would otherwise build in a wild
state have been ready made for him. Trees
have been felled, dams have been made
more acceptable with cement and stone, and
while 1t looked like a beaver establishment
1t was nevertheless constructed by human
hands. In Bronx park the beavers will be
given an enclosure, including a watercourst
and some trees. They will be placed within
the run and made to work out their OWE
salvation. They will be allowed to cut dowT
trees and construct their own dam. Visitors
in viewing the work OF the animals, will be
all the more interested in knowing that the
hand OF man was not concerned. The object
lesson will be all the more forcible. This
idea will be carried out all through the
place. With the birds, wherever the feathered
Inhabitants can be trusted to stay within thu
grounds, they will be given full liberty. But
there Is a gigantic scheme under way tC
give some high flying birds their liberty, tc
allow them to circle high in the afr and yet
keep them In captivity. This will be posi-.