New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
WILD BEASTS OF THE BRONX
LATE NEWS OF SOME OF THE INTER
ESTING INHABITANTS OF THE
BIOLOGICAL PARK.


es a charming bit of natural woodland, easy OF
access from all parts of the city and doubly at
tractive because of the fine specimens of natu-
raj life which are confined there, some of them
in such roomy quarters that they roam almost
unrestrained and appear to be at perfect liberty
An idea of these ranges may be gained from
the photograph of part of the elk range by
Rudolph Kersting, which is reproduced. The
other pictures from photographs by Ernest
F. Keller.
William T. Hornaday, the director. Is by no
means satisfied with present achievements, how
ever He says that the foundation has simply
been laid, and that at best two-thirds Of the
work remains to be done. The private effort
represented by the Geological Society stands |
pledged to furnish $4,000 more within eighteen
months, and the people have recently provided
$3O0'OOO for the continuation of the improve
ments in the way of walks, drives, water mains,
etc, and for lion and monkey houses. This
amount will be available, and plans for its |
expenditure being prepared
But, aside from this said Mr.. Hornaday, |
I'VE need about 500 600 to be used In compet- |
ing the bear dens. These already among the |
main features of the park. They built in |
the face of the rock and. according to the plans |
in view, would be continued to a new part OF |
the cliff where the rock is still higher and more
picturesque We now have accommodations for
twelve bears, and the contemplated addition |
would give US room for five or six more. We
want. also, about two thousand new members. |
II costs only $40 year to be a member of the
society, and the park is recognized as boon
to the pent up population an institution OF per-
manent value to all lovers of animal nature, stu
dents, writers and artists. and ideal place for
NETWORKS grand army of children, we think
that the membership list will grow when it is
known that we need their contributions to carry
the work successfully"
The polar bears seem to be perfectly happy in
their cliff homes when the weather is cold, and
show few signs of discomfort even now. But as
the season advances and the weather grows
warmer the Arctic strangers life becomes less
pleasant, and their visits to the big tank in the
bear incosure more frequent. The water was
not sufficient 70 keep the animals cool last sea
son. and it is the intention of the managers of
the park to provide ice for the bear tanks during
the extreme hot season if the Ice Trust prices
not prohibitive.
When the place which has been set aside for
them is turned over to the beavers, these in
dustrious animals will find material ready for
them, and they may begin business at once
Logs and trees have been placed conveniently,
and these are far enough from the public paths
to keep visitors from disturbing the dam build
ers. who never go strike. The beaver pond
and the banks around it will be the home also
OF racCoOnS, opOSSumS and other North Amer
lean species.
The prairie dogs have made much progress in
their building operations. The circular enclos-
ure has many large mounds, over which the
risky little workers peep at the passing WIS.,
itor. There seems to be little rivalry on the
part of the inhabitants of the village as to who
shall have the largest or the most attractive
residence. for they nearly all of the same
size. About twenty of these little animals have
been released from the village and turned loose
on the antelope range Most of them have
chosen desirable corner lots, where they have
built habtations the plan of those in the
prairie dog village, and these dwellers in the
larger grounds are now looked upon as the aris-
tocrats in the Cynomys Ludovicianus com
munity
one of the contemplated improvements is an
antelope house, to be built the south side Of
the park, near the reptile house This will be
used not only for the antelope and kindred ami
mails but as temporary quarters for elephants
rhinoceroses and appropriateness until the ele-
phant house is built
The part of the park which has been set aside
for the rodents has been greatly improved with
In the last few weeks There are fifteen en-
closed yards, 10 by 20 feet in size, so arranged
that they will conffne the smallest rodents
These yards occupied by chipmunks rab-
bits, squirrels, porcupines marmots and spermo-