Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-11-19

~ HE Inauguration of the Scot
fish geological gardens or
Geological park. as it is termed,
marks new departure in the
method of housing and looking
+ after collections of the wild fauna of
the globe in this country. Following
the now accepted ideas; as seen ON
parts of the continent and in America.
the aim of the Scottish society Is to
provide the animals with homes as
nearly representing those of their
natural habitat and environment as is
possible with the inevitably changed
climatic conditions and the necessity
of keeping them within bounds. The
aging out OF garden with this OBJ
jett in view is therefore Of some con-
siderable interest alike to the zoolo-
gist, the sportsman and the general
public. For it is now recognized that
a collection OF the wild fauna inhabit-
ing the globe arranged on these lines
cannot fail to have great educational
eject on the general public. enabling
them TO realize the value OF affording
lAs large mede OF protection to wild
animal life as is possible with the
greatly developed economic progress
OF the present day.
To Protect Wild Fauna.
Such collections, fittingly displayed,
should also serve as an aid to the so
cieties which are now in existence
among the more enlightened nations
OF the world. having for their object
the formation of sanctuaries for the
protection of the wild fauna OF the
countries concerned. The Importance
and value of this latter movement can
not be brought too strongly before the
public If the rarer varieties of animal
life are to be afforded protection
against extinction In the interests of a
depraved commerce, the purely sell
1sh ends of the butcher sportsman
on the ignorance and greed OF collec-
tors.
This question of the preservation OF
the fauna by means of sanctuarfes is
one which demands the most serious
attention, and such an aim cannot but
be fayorably influenced by the en-
lightened maintenance of geological
gardens. The new Scottish one should
therefore prove a great aid in educat-
ing opinion in the north. There is one
other aspect OF the question worthy
of consideration. Animals living I'M
der restraint and in the artificial con-
ditions unavoidable even In the best
of ZOOS are likely to he benefited by
change of air, just as is the case with
human beings. The existence of gar
dens in different parts of the country
enables such change to be given to
the members of collection by an In
terchange on loan, between ZOOS in
different parts of the country, of which
would be benefited by change of air
and surroundings. Such interchanges
would also enable zoo situated in an
area experiencing rigorous climate
during a part of the year to exhibit for
few months animals which would be
unable TO exist permanently in the To-
cality. From this point of view alone
the Inauguration of the Scottish gar
den, IN its present situation should
prove valuable acquisition to the
country.
Site Is Ideal.
The Scottish zoo is situated on the
Costorphine estate. about ten min
utes' walk from the termination OF the
Murrayfeld tram-line in Edinburgh.
The site is ideal both as regards
scenery, accessibility and the more
utilitarian purposes for which the area
is required. The view as seen from
the terrace of Costorphine house,
large castellated building now the
headquarters OF the society, showing a
part of the grounds with the beautiful
Pentland range in the distance. will
sufficiently illustrate the beauty of the
surroundings to those who know the
nelghborhood. The estate has south