Evening star., 1936-06-14
Lion, Python, Parrot and Chimpanzee
Enjoy Gay Romps with Boys and Girls
BY LILLIAN ZAHN.

Vic 1l1cbOLy Va OOOc Woo 4C~
Gently put into effect in Lon
Il don. This is the Pets Corner,
where any one of the zoo babies, plus
a sprinkling of tame adults, may be
borrowed for a mornings or after
moons play. No cages or bars mar
the freedom of the Pets Corner. Here
London's boys and girls may romp
and frolic with their loaned pets to
their hearts content.
This was the idea of Prof. Julian
Huxley, the newly appointed head of
the London Zoo and a grandson of
the great biologist, Thomas r. Huxley.
He wanted to see laughter and sun
shine in the somber grounds of the
ZOO, and this could be brought about
by play between the animals and
children. Moreover, by bringing the
different species Of animals into close
association, they would grow accus-
toned to one another's habits and
lose some of their instructive fear of
other species. lions roars, for ex-
ample, would no longer frighten them.
Above all, Prof. Huxley wished to
familiarize children with ZOO animals
and instill in them love for animals
in general.
A r FIRST Prof. Huxley's idea was
not approved. 1t was feared that
by throwing ZOO animals together the
tame ones might be pounced upon by
the wild ones. And as for inviting
young children to play with lions and
pythons, that was unheard of.
Prof Huxley paid no attention to
these objections. He felt that his
plan was a sound one and within
few months of his appointment as
head of the zoo, new wing was con-
structed which he called the Pets
Corner.
In it he placed Peter, the Chin
panzee; Laura, the parrot; Percy. the
penguin; George, the lion cub; June,
the mammoth century-old turtle;
Peter, the python; Niger, the white
calf; Iris, the springing Shetland
pony, and a number of other tame
ZOO inmates including some young
camelS.
He then broadcast his invitation
to London children to borrow the
animals for play session. His plan
met with instant success. The ami
mails not only proved great pals to
each other, but to the throngs of
children who availed themselves of
the opportunity to secure an unusual
playmate for an afternoon or morn
ing.
PERCY, the penguin, Is very pop
ular pet. He allows his human
friends to grab him by his fins and
lead him for a stroll He follows them
like faithful dog. Peter, the CHM
panzee, is also popular. One day he
entertained a group of blind children
from a London institution. He walked
with the young zoo visitors, who could
not see him, held their hands, and
kissed each child in turn.
His ears are just like daddy's," ex-
claimed one little girl, fondling Peters
head.
The blind children astonished
grown-ups by their complete absence
of fear when handling Peter. the py-
thon, who eagerly coiled himself
around their bodies.
Another popular pet is June, the
turtle, who sports a hand-painted sign
on her weighty shield, to the effect
that This End Bites" SO that her pals
may stay a safe distance from her
swapping mouth. She willingly gives
her human cargo free ride.
Still another popular pet is George,
the lion cub. So great are demands
for borrowing him that reservations
have to be put in far in advance if
one is to have him for playmate.
And as for Iris, the Shetland pony,
and Niger, the white calf, they are
constantly in demand. Their antics
know no bounds, and the ground
simply rocks with the sound Of their
prancing hoofs.
NEVER in the history of the Lon
don Zoo have its grounds echoed
to the laughter and sheer delight on
the part of visitors and animals alike.
Daily great groups Of people assemble
in front of the Pets Corner to watch
the antics of the playful animals and
to marvel at the lack of fear on the