The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-06
sAvANNAH'S START ON A zoo.
Park COMMISSION HAS HAD 1T IN
VIEW SOME TIME.

consul General De Icons Monkeys
the Nucleus fer MenRgerie-The
Monkeys to BE Put in Forsyth
pIace-Whcn the Collection Grows
If Will Be Transferred to an AMI
NAL Garden in EstiII Park.
Consul General deLeon's gift of Ecua-
dor monkeys for Forsyth park has given
rise to talk Of building house in the
mark for the especial purpose of quarter
rr an animal exhibit.
The idea is for a structure of brick
with the interior of substantial steel Gag
irs and convenient avenues arranged for
visitors to pass through and see the an
inals. Similar structures are at the In
ternational Zoo, Cincinnati and other
nflces where extensive animal exhibits
are TO be seen.
DR.. George H. Stone, chairman of the
Park and Tree Commission, was asked
about the matter yesterday. He is inter-
,sted in such a scheme. In fact, the es-
tabishng of a zoo has been talked of by
the commission for some time. The rea-
son the matter has not been taken up is
the stinted appropriation to the Park and
Tree Commission, which is absorbed in
other ways particularly in the preserva-
ION of the parks.
When the Ecuador animals arrive
said Dr. Stone 1.-The commission will build
substantial steel cage, to be placed
temporarily in Forsyth Park as Mr.. de
Leon requests While it is intended to
establish a zoo at some future time, SINH
lar TO those in other cities, it will never
be in Forsyth Park. Among the reasons
why this should not be is the uncouth
appearance a building would give the
park think it would materially detract
from the landscape beauty. Then, too,
hay and other food required in keeping
such animals would be scattered around,
forming litter and untidiness."
Other objections were mentioned by Dr.
Stone, all of which indicated that he in
tends drawing the line on placing any
more animals in Forsyth Park besides
the monkeys. With reference to caring
for similar gifts provision must be made
by the city The question of putting up a
parrot house in the park, to contain all
ootainable species, and the monkey house
have been talked Of before, but have not
received the commissions serious con-
sideration.
IT'S pretty well settled that such steps
as the commission take in establishing
ZOO" continued DR.. Stone, will be at
Estill Park, the city's suburban property,
which has always been intended for this
purpose. 1t is admirably adapted
for zoo and suburban resort and if the
commission receives the assistance it now
contemplates from the county, Estill Park
will soon be in readiness for such an at
traction. The county has been asked by
the commission to dredge a place sufficient
Tor a small lake, which could be fed by
the artesian well recently bored there. If
the county does this, rapid strides can be
made by the commission in identifying the
park. Under the terms of the city's pur-
chase, $500 a year is to be appropriated
Tor improving the park from 1893 to 1898
inclusive From 1899 to 1908, inclusive.
$1,000. With what has been received thus
far the commission has built two rustic
bridges, and ante-bellum cottage, driven
an artesian well, built driveway, set out
nursery comprising many varieties of
forest trees, and has kept the park per-
lectly clear of rubbish.
"Estill Park is the place for a ZOO when
one is to be established. 1t is located to
savannah as Grant Park to Atlanta
The commission has already received the
%D appropriation for 1898, but has not de-
eided what improvements 1t will make
"heh the larger appropriations begin the
commission expects to accomplish more in
Deautltying the city's suburban resort Dr.
stone says the monkey house in Forsyth
Fark will be built so as to admit of its
to VN-f.T