Open apology for neglecting the "circusNOspin"

I hope to be on track the middle of next week, and able to devote more time to this blog. I am involved in a bit of a new project, involving in addition the 40 beautiful Arabians, the three horses pictured, Gauipo purchased yesterday, and the two girls below, Faith and Hope. Long day's starting at 6:00 and ending at 10:00. but am nearing the end of the tunnel.
I would like to thank everyone for their patience and loyalty to the blog, and for sticking around during this busy time.

Scientists restate Tsavo lions' taste for human flesh

New study cuts likely death toll to 35

For more than 80 years, the man-eating Tsavo lions have been one of the Field Museum's top tourist draws.

Now a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests the Tsavo lions' taste for human flesh may have been exaggerated.

According to the man who finally caught them in 1898, the two maneless Kenyan lions munched their way through as many as 135 people before they were shot, skinned, sold, stuffed and put on display in Chicago.

The story of how they preyed on a terrified camp of imperial British railroad workers for nine months captivated museum-goers for decades and inspired a 1996 movie with Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, "The Ghost and the Darkness."

But after analyzing fragments of the lions' bones and fur, scientists at the University of California in Santa Cruz have determined that the true number of humans eaten by the lions was likely closer to 35.

By comparing isotopes in the lions' samples with their normal prey of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, with other lions, and with the remains of 19th century Kenyans, the scientists estimated that one of the lions ate 24 humans, while the other ate 11.

"The possible range is between 4 and 72 humans, but 35 is most likely," said Justin Yeakel, one of the study's authors.

Why the lions took the risk of targeting people is unclear, but changes to the Tsavo environment that affected their traditional prey likely are responsible, Yeakel said. Previous studies have suggested that lions developed a taste for human flesh because they lived near a slave trade route, with dead, sick or injured slaves offering easy prey, and that one of the lions may have suffered from toothache that made it easier to eat people than its typical diet.

The numbers killed have been disputed since the lions were shot by Col. John H. Patterson, a British engineer who went on to write a best-selling book about their reign of terror that won praise from President Theodore Roosevelt.

Patterson, a celebrity in his time, claimed in his 1907 book that "28 railroad workers and scores of unfortunate Africans" had been killed.

But after selling the lions' skins to the Field Museum for $5,000 in 1924, Patterson, short of cash and perhaps attempting to boost his reputation, wrote a pamphlet claiming 135 dead.

In recent years, the Field Museum has come to rely on the higher figure, though an audio tour it offers fudges the issue by saying that "legend has it they killed and ate over 100 people."

"It's remarkable how the myth has grown," said Roosevelt University Prof. Julian Kerbis, who has studied Patterson's diaries.

Field Museum staff now plan to update signage at the exhibit, spokeswoman Nancy O'Shea said.

"Anybody who studied the historical records retained some skepticism," said Bruce Patterson, the Field Museum's curator of mammals (and no relation to the colonel), who assisted with the study.

Lions in southern Tanzania in the 1940s ate more than 1,200 people, and individual tigers and leopards in colonial India ate hundreds, he said.

Though the study does diminish the number killed, it doesn't affect the reason for the Tsavo lions' notoriety, Bruce Patterson said.

"The signal feat of the Tsavo lions is that they stopped the British Empire, at the height of its imperial power, literally in its tracks at Tsavo, and it was not until Col. Patterson dispatched them that work on the railway could resume."

Also unchanged, Bruce Patterson added, is the "morbid fascination in considering the business end of an animal that can kill and eat you in seconds."

Courtesy of John Goodall

For Thomas

For Thomas

For Steve Robinson

Mate, one photo of last weekend slipped past the shredder, so I thought I would share. I will attempt to "educate" you tomorrow night if I can find a moment. It is hard work being a "towner".

Jason Peters--Euro Ringling

I guess Jason didn't use the tiger act as speculated. His "cage running" male lion looks good. A fast, exciting trick normally done with lioness's.

Opening night of the new Circo Lidia Togni in Napoli

Vinicio Togni

Opening night of the new Circo Lidia Togni in Napoli

Unusual format with a "skating rink" and a performance ring all in the same tent. Note the path on the left where the horses enter the off centered back door. Very different, and indeed looks like another beautiful show produced by Mr. Togni

Arabian Nationals 2009 Tulsa Oklahoma

The 2009 Arabian Nationals closed last night at about 10:00. A real weak show this year, given the economy, with the cancellation of almost 50% of the classes. One of the big highlights of this years show was the winning bid of $11,000.00 for a handmade Dale Chavez saddle, that's how poor it was.
The competition highlights for me was the Stachowski brothers, Peter and Jim grabbing the Championship and Reserve, respectfully in the HA/AA Country English Pleasure class, beating some great trainers, including Bob Battaglia and Mary Trowbridge. Peter was mounted on RH Gladiator and Jim rode Worth The Wait(Wait for what? 2nd Place? LOL)

On a wilder note, training Ace Joel Keisner above, went Reserve to his wife Ashton Keisner's Grand below. It looked to me like Joel had legged Ashton up on the better horse. Damn, love will make a man do ignorant things sometimes. LOL The Keisner's are a great training team, and Joel rode Mariachi WA, while Ashton "robbed" him mounted on Casting Crowns DFA.

STORIA DEL CIRCO

580 pages – 300 b/w illustrations - 36 colour plates

Chronological tables – index of 1400 performers and circuses - Hundreds of notes and full bibliographical guide

Price: 47 Euro Isbn : 978-88-7870-317-9

few copies still availables!

From the oriental traditions to the Renaissance fairs; from the early equestrian pioneers to the golden age of the circus buildings; from the cultural influence of the American circus to the great European big tops; from the origins of the Soviet circus to Cirque du Soleil and the avant-gardes…

This italian work, after five years of research, considers all the major circus studies of the recent years and from the past, attempting a complete survey of "the greatest show on earth". The book considers the artistic and social aspects; details the developments of the circus techniques; the birth of the great circuses around the world; the economic and industrial issues; the development of the space, from the circus building to the modern big top; details the intricacy of the legendary dinasties; the relationship of the circus with the other art forms throrough the centuries. Every aspect is detailed with hundreds of bibliographical notes from international resources, books and magazine.
Fully illustrated, the book is published by the prestigious Bulzoni from Rome, Italy's leading house for theatrical and movie studies.

Raffaele De Ritis is a writer and director, today creative consultant for Franco Dragone Entertainment. He created projects with Cirque du Soleil, Soviet State Circus in Moscow, Togni family, the Circo Price in Madrid, La Biennale di Venezia, Spoleto Festival and Monte Carlo Princess Grace Theatre. He directed Barnum's Kaleidoscape for Ringling bros., Carnevale! For Big Apple Circus, the Price circus building in Madrid and one-man shows for David Larible, and worked with Arturo Brachetti and Jango Edwards among others. De Ritis was consultant of Rai state TV in Italy for circus projects, and member of the Circus Commission at Italy's Ministry of Culture. Former editor of italian circus magazine "Circo", he is author of hundreds of international articles about circus, theatre and movies. As teacher, he give courses for the University La Sapienza in Rome, the Accademia del Circo, the European Federation of Circus Schools. His previous book is Illusionismi (2004), an history of theatrical conjuring.

TO PURCHASE THE BOOK:

- From the publisher (cash on delivery): www.bulzoni.it/novita.asp

Tel 00 39 06.491851 bulzoni@bulzoni.it

- Also available from online italian bookshops:

www.ibs.it www.lafeltrinelli.it

http://libri.dvd.it www.libreriauniversitaria.it www.webster.it www.unilibro.it

We need a President like Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

American Circus--Togni Circus

It is truly amazing when you live in a small isolated world like the circus, how you can make up or believe anything that you want, or that sounds good, as you are not a part of the "real world." The Togni family is apparently quite upset at the Feld's for bring their circus to Italy(actually I am twice as upset at them for fronting such a piece of shit it Europe), yet the Togni's enjoyed two years of great success in the Colonies with Ringling. The Togni's new show for the 2009-2010 season open tonight in Sothern Italy, and the advertizing above states, "after the success in Milano and Rome???" where Ringling just left, attempting to bastardize and use Ringlings national press coverage to their advantage. Just what the circus need's, more BS advertizing to reinstill confidence in the ticket buying public. You gotta love the pettiness of an isolated world like the circus.

Buttonwood Zoo--New Bedford, Mass.

Vintage Dublin Zoo

Stereoview cards of unknow zoos.

Philadelphia Zoo

Pidcock's Exeter Change

In The Shows of London by Richard D Altick, Exeter Change was taken over in the 1770s by a Thomas Clark. He let part of it out for entertainments and the large room there was used at the London headquarters of the small travelling menagerie belonging to Gilbert Pidcock, who took it to the London fairs and into the provinces during the summer. At some point Clark himself became a dealer in wild birds and animals and in 1793 Pidcock bought Clark's stock to add to his own. "The exhibits at this moment, housed in rooms whose walls were painted with appropriate scenery, included a "unicorn" (rhinocerous), a zebra, a kangaroo from Botany Bay, an African ram, a "Sagittaire" (secretary) bird that kills the snakes, a "Fiery Lynx", and a "Ravenous wolf from Algiers", along with such timely but unrelated items as a "French Beheading Machine". Four years later they were joined by elephants and tigers".

TheTimes, 1799 The Grand Menagerie at Exeter Change, in the Strand, has the late additions of foreign animals and birds which have arrived there within these few days past. This has become one of the most entertaining promenades in town; it consists of near 200 different species of living birds and beasts. In one apartment is a stupendous elephant and 6 kangarooes, from Botany Bay, which are the latest discovery of quadrupeds. Admittance 1s each. In the great room is added a noble young male lion, 4 bengal tigers, whose limbs are larger than an ox; also 2 royal crown pigeons, which are nearly as large as a turkey, and are the only birds of the kind ever brought to England alive. Admittance 1s each. In a separate apartment is an optical exhibition far exceeding any thing of the kind ever yet invented. Admittance 1s each or the three Exhibitions are 2s 6d - Foreign birds and beasts bought, sold or exchanged by G Pidcock

Thread continued from "leopard" debate--Let the both sides be heard.

We will start a new thread here. This is Mr. Emile Smith above.


Not Worthy said...

There you go Wade, discounting someone's experience. Barbara was speaking from her own experience, as was Jim. She was not negating the experience of other trainers, just relating her own. Jesus, man, how can you say on one hand that everyone is welcome in your discussions, but when someone who you consider less qualified, you go out of your way to say that they are full of it. There are few people arouind who have experience with the number of cats that Jim has, but that doesn't mean everyone else's experience means nothing, now does it? Jumps may be easy, but they are included in every act, so they certainly can be called behaviours. If you don't want the input of other 'lesser' trainers, why not just post that at the top of your blog and delete their comments when one of the lower being pipes in.

October 20, 2009 4:31 PM

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Note Worthy,

You know that's really not your name? I bet you meant Not Worthy? That's more accurate, because you sure arn't Note Worthy> Why be embarrassed or ashamed? You are really Sheridan, Wyoming and you come here almost daily since your return back to the Colonies. I won't reveal anymore, as you have a tendency to piss down your leg. A thank you for that, and what you have learned on the blog seems appropriate.

"If you don't want the input of other 'lesser' trainers, why not just post that at the top of your blog and delete their comments when one of the lower being pipes in."

I do appreciate comments from anybody, even you "lesser" trainers, how else will you learn. But we are not circus fan's and we don't play patty cake or cut jackpots. We are hear to learn, as are the circus fan's as well as others. I never deleate anyone's comments(7 total in over a year) unless they intend to hurt someone(not me, I don't hurt) and are anonymous. The fact that I am posting you bears that out. Now if you want to stay and learn, sit down and be quite. Otherwise, go get the big dog's some coffee. Your choice, madame.

Wade Burck

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So as to give "B" an opportunity to rebut here are a couple of emails to explain why she hasn't yet:

Wade-

Not able to reach the blog!? Said bad URL and yet I look at the blog everyday...some of the pictures have not been there lately as well!? If you need a different server I recommend wordpess.com

Please post this in the comment area, it should answer all those questions...

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Was going to do a copy paste up but will try to touch on all the questions. This might be long but it’s history and I think answers your questions, definitely too much for this little box and more than I had intended to say!

Let me start with…I’m not an expert! I merely speak from personal experience with tigers, lions, leopards (my personal favorite), cougars, bobcats, Siberian lynx and servals.
Our act consisted of tigers, leopards and cougars. At one time there were as many as thirteen mixed in the cage…we worked them all when we had our own show and cut the numbers and species for the circus…way too long, not appropriate!
Also, I must add that a cat eating a piece of meat while sitting on a sit is NOT a behavior.
Yes, I always wore a treat bag and enjoyed treating the cats with small bits of meat usually eaten from my fingertips and not tossed on the seat unless I was in a hurry. Lilliana used pliers when giving treats and I don’t see anything wrong with that either.
Sounds like you never saw the act or the show but going on bits of speculation or what you have heard.

The first two cats were black, came from Yaro’s cousin Lucio and Guilda Christiani, born on Toby Tyler or just as the season ended, about 12 weeks old when we got them. Sisters, one easy, the other difficult so I just held on to her till she finally caved and accepted me.
Yes, they were declawed, however, I have worked with both and if it was a 'good' declaw, done correctly, it didn't slow them down one bit! I don’t know where you got that from! Only a bad declaw will slow them down and it’s awful! A good experienced vet will spend the extra time sewing the legiments back together.
I do know the difference as I currently have a tiger with a botched piece of surgery, has had corrective surgery and needs more work to be done. He is extremely slow and timid to say the least of the problems not just from the declaw but he is also considered blind (white). He was almost totally lame and now walks like a wind up toy. It is sad to watch!
I don’t believe that having declawed cats makes the cat any less aggressive, makes me any less of a trainer or has made it any easier or even changes my opinion. Paws without claws become paws with workable toes that can grab and hold but I think that’s probably a topic for another day…I must also say the absolute worst injury I have ever experienced was a spotted leopard (declawed) going into estrus, grabbing and holding my leg, and taking a bite with her teeth getting stuck it my shin and knee; I almost lost my leg! Still painful; only gets worse as you get older, lol!
The animals were purchased to be wroked on a leash made of plastic coated airline cable, trained for the magic props and one of many reasons that we declawed them...not that I'd do it again, I wouldn't, now dealing with a botched piece of surgery, if I were to do magic with cats, I'd build props differently. The other reason for the declaw was that was all we had intended to do with the cats...you probably don’t realize I was not familiar with circus when I married Yaro or had any idea of what I was getting into, funny if you think about it. First year out was a real shocker to say the least! I had done stage, a few movies, commercials, voice overs and a lot of stand up comedy in clubs; circus is a different animal all together (pardon the pun).
We were at Medieval Times performing our magic show for several years and looking for ‘growth’. Peter Van Borch (sorry if I spelled that wrong)was there talking up the circus and Yaro wanted to go back to it. We had met Gee Gee at the castle and of course if circus people were like them, I was willing.
Over the years, we ended up with six leopards and the three I currently have but there were the two I spoke of that were ‘given to us’ and reason for the remark, 'get what you pay for'. Both males; one from Harry Dupsky and the other from the magician in Branson; I can’t think of his name. Both were declawed and a bad experience; hard to believe that anyone had ever worked them, both were older and supposed to have been leash trained! On a scale of one to ten, I’d say a ten plus! When I think about them I think of that tiger picture with the tongue curled! There were a couple of others that we opted not to keep for no particular reason except that we decided on the six and all the ones that we didn’t keep were spotted and female.
Tricks/behaviors-what ever rocks your boat for what you want to call it-with the leopards were bottle walk over a high arch, of course sit ups (which I always found difficult in the early days) the jumps, a walk thru the legs like a dog, a dance, a hug and kiss and of course the comedy with the male. I had no formal training in working these animals what so ever with the exception of time spent with Ron and Joy Holiday (mostly on the phone!) who I don’t believe felt their black jag was any more aggressive but of course there is a difference between jag and leopard, you’d need to discuss that with Ron.
We were similar in that we did the ‘magic trick’ and took them out to show them off. Did a behavior or two and put them back in the cage. No dancing, I kept dropping Yaro...
We went to the safari style show a few years later, with the cats on a leash, including the tigers. That was mostly educational, lots of talking with venues of performance by the cats at fairs and on our own; it offered more money. I think we were best known for the educational shows not our abilities as trainers but for the relationship we established with the cats and still got them to perform. But all the same we worked with and took care of the animals daily. Our act was always an ‘extreme close contact’ act with all the cats no matter what species and the only severe injury was with the spotted leopard and a cougar.
I found training tigers a complex feat in itself! With a tiger it seemed to be not just the command but the movement, the body language, but this is coming from someone who worked closely with bonding with the cats for 25 years, not had any formal training and not an expert.

When things became difficult for us, for one reason or another, it was suggested we do an arena act, which I thought was a joke until Yaro came home with the materials to build one! If Yaro got it into his head that he wanted to do something he would. He was extremely talented but I really don’t believe he had that much exposure to cats himself even though he grew up on the circus and 8th generation…He’d simply look at me and say everyone starts somewhere; just follow my lead…So I’m either very dumb or trusting, but we ended up making a good living at it.

Well, when we started the arena act, we had three tigers (one quite young), the six leopards and four cougars at the time, all leash trained and trying to figure out how to change to the arena style. No sooner had he finished building the cage, George Coronas called for an immediate booking. He didn’t care there weren’t any shute cages, there really wasn’t a polished act at all, I didn’t even have costumes made, hadn't considered music... but he needed the act and no one else was available and we were offered a large sum of money. We went to
Jo Ann Wilson and bought some of her jewelry, at least I’d look a little flashy…we loaded up as quickly as we could and headed down the road. We had just lost a big contract in Lauderdale Lakes because of AR…still today animals are banned from Lauderdale Lakes…we hadn’t done anything wrong they just didn’t like performing animals.

Ended up I stayed in the back of the ring with the leopards and Yaro up front with the tigers finally built the shute cages and the leashes removed. I mostly worked the leopards, he worked the tigers; the leopards wouldn’t work for him at all, spotted or black with the exception of the neck carry but it’s a neck carry…
I don’t believe the things we did with the cats were of the norm and largely never received the respect of the great trainers such as yourself, but for two people with no experience with cats it was a great adventure.
Yaro died in route and don’t I think he would have had it any other way even if he knew he was so seriously ill. He did the act Sunday night and passed away after making a 300 mile jump to the next town Tuesday evening.

So yes, I’ve experienced more than a dozen leopards of my own (4 blacks, the rest spotted) and worked with others that were not mine. Of the three leopards I currently own -one spotted, one black; were gotten from a sanctuary that lost their license when the cats were about a year old. The black one is calm and the spotted one is a bit ‘squirrelly’, both female. I raised the other black as a cub and he is calm but more aggressive than the spotted male that was part of the act; he’s not comical.

Maybe your opinion of difficult is different than mine but the easiest to train and the cats I am the most comfortable with are the black leopards. There should be no difference between the two but apparently there is.

I’m hoping by explaining this, you will give some validity to my statements as you seem shocked by them.
There are many people around that have worked both spotted and blacks. Surely someone else besides myself feels the same way.

By the way, my cats have always had all their teeth and still gently take bits of meat from my fingertips!

-B

Barbara, I don't know if this was for me or for anonymous. If for me, I will only say that yes, I saw the act in Greyslake with John and Herta Cuneo, and the fair show a few years prior in Sarasota with Jeannette Williams. The rest of my statements I will stand by. I will never make a comment on an act unless I have seen it live or a couple of videos. I don't think a lot of those who make comments, good or bad about an act, are qualified(but some are) to decide if something is good or bad.
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The link to the blog is back, I don't know why I had the problem... will post there now...sorry...B

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Blog said I talk to much...can not accept more than 4,096 characters, lol!

Incidently, got any idea about my ponies? B
____________________________________________________________________

So there it is Barbara. We got it up for you, and Not Worthy can kiss my rightous ass!!!!! LOL

Wade Burck

Finally a valid "scientific study" being done in the circus.

The other day a very interesting conversation was started on the "history channel" regarding the difficulty of training Black Leopards, with some great dialog and reasoning from Richard Reynolds and Jim Clubb, both of whom I consider experts. Jim Clubb offered this: "The black ones are naturally not very well camouflaged in the wild and this is my theory for them being more dangerous. The males are even more dangerous than the females." In the photo below, we see another person, whom I consider an expert, putting that theory to the test, and taking the Black Leopards game to the Black Leopard in an attempt at validating "camouflage or short-sightedness?"

Vintage San Diego Zoo--San Deigo, Calif.

Vintage Brookfield Zoo--Chicago, Illinois

Lahore Zoo-- Pakistan

Atlas Lions from Teddy Roosevelt's African Expedition of 1909

Apparently old "Rough Rider" took out baby animals in an effort at scientific accuracy.

Things like this make me wish I could have a conversation with a Chimpanzee. I wonder what they think?

Above is the body of Dorthy, a Chimpanzee who died suddenly of natural causes. Behind is a gathering of her troop members. Are they exhibiting a natural curiosity, and nothing more. They have no religious concepts, so the idea of burial is foreign to them. Are they wondering what the cover is for? Are they wondering at the "human concern" for burial and making comfortable a dead Chimpanzee, while transporting her in something normally used for waste/garbage?

Courtesy of Ryan"Radar" Easley

Gold Dust and Dunk with head keeper W. H. Blackburne at the National Zoological Park, 1898

Buchenwald Zoological Garden--Postcard of the SS zoological garden, 1939

In 1938, Camp Commander Karl Koch had a zoo built in the direct vicinity of the entrance area to the inmates’ camp. It was financed with “donations” extorted from the inmates themselves. The highlight of the “Buchenwald Zoological Garden”, as it was officially designated, was a bear pit with four brown bears. As stated in a command-staff order, the zoo was intended as a means of offering the SS men “distraction and amusement”.

The contrast between the images of beautiful and well-cared-for fauna and the masses of human beings living in a forced state of misery and made to vegetate like lepers was evidently deliberate. The zoo was accessible not only to the SS and their families but also to civilian workers from Weimar employed in the factories in the camp vicinity. SS postcards advertised for the zoo. As a centre of German Classicism, the nearby town of Weimar and its citizens were of special interest to the National Socialists. The city is a unique example of what was meant by the National Socialist aim to build a new, racially defined society.

Vintage Regent's Park--1852

The first hippopotamus in England since prehistoric times, named Obaysch, was taken in 1852 by the splendidly named Don Juan Carlos, Duke of Montizón. The animal's arrival at London zoo caused huge excitement and visitor numbers quickly doubled. He lived for 28 years at the zoo.

Biopark Rome

A few days ago there was mention of modernizing Hagenbeck designed exhibits at the St. Louis Zoo, and it was suggested it may be better to tear them down. I think that would be a crime, to destroy that kind of zoological history. I believe the Biopark Rome was originally designed by Hagenbeck, and they seem to have found a great compromise to modernizing and updateing the Hagenbeck moats.

Biopark Rome

Situated in the park of Villa Borghese is the Bioparco, one of the oldest zoos in the world home to more than a thousand animals from the world of mammals, reptiles and birds. The Bioparco di Roma offers important educational and cultural facilities for children of all ages, protecting endangered species through research and reproduction programs and promoting cultural awareness with conferences and special events.

You can find many animals at the Rome Zoo including lions, tigers, panthers, elephants, giraffes, bears with their own pool, and many more besides.

When it was built in 1911, everyone considered it one of the most magical places in Rome. The Zoo was reorganized in 1998 for adapting the original areas and artistic content to modern facilities and the new concept of a Bio-park.

Biopark Rome

Polar Bear Conservation and Education Habitat--Cochrane, Ontario, Canada

In January of 2002, the Town of Cochrane, Northern Ontario, Canada selected a design team consisting of ANO Architects, Ted Maranda and Ursa International to design a Polar Bear Sanctuary as a tourist attraction to enhance their offerings as well as create a place to house surplus Polar Bears from the region.

Not only did they create a place which exceeds the very rigorous Manitoba Standards for Polar Bear Housing, they created a unique destination along the Transcanada Highway. Visitors during summer can cool off in a special pool adjacent to the Polar Bear's pool - offering endless enrichment opportunities for the Bears and a one-of-a-kind opportunities for the visitors! What Cochrane created is a "Swim with the Polar Bears" Experience.

In the Winter, snowmobilers enter the region on extended trips through this Taiga Forest. Cochrane provides a destination and a welcome to those travelers, also, creating a year-round attraction in a very remote location.

The facility can house 5 Polar Bears, with two large habitats on view from a central viewing building as well as a large off-exhibit holding area adjacent to a modern animal management building.

This project offers a long term commitment to creating a win-win situation for Polar Bears. Additional phases include exhibits for other local animal species as well as a Heritage Village that will tell the story of the early peoples and culture of Northern Ontario.

Polar Bear Conservation and Education Habitat--Cochrane, Ontario, Canada

Sanctuary or water park? Does the concept tread on the mission statement of "sanctuary" or does it provide an alternative to operating solely on donations? Does it then become an "amusement park" being neither a "zoo" or "conservation center?" I think it is a very interesting concept.

Boss, What do you think of this?

Ringling Rome--Ringling America

News reports say audience's have been "tepid/lukewarm. That I would think is good news. What I would have expected is "Stormed the box office, at the greasing they just took!!!"

Ringling Rome--You gotta be shitting me!!!!!

Ringling Rome--You gotta be shitting me!!!!!

Now you folks here in the Colonies know what a "full house" of 1500 in a European tent look's like in a building in Europe

Does anybody know who the lucky guy is getting a little "pre show" grope by the babe in the tight pants. "When in Rome," I guess is the thought here. Does anybody recognize the back of the head with the man bag?

London Zoo--1912

The photo above is a very neat and complex display of the food eaten by animals in the London Zoo and was published in the Illustrated London News on May 17, 1913. The data, found in the report of the Zoological Society of London (for the year 1912) is entitled “The Feeding of the Beasts: a Year’s Food fore the “Zoo’s” Collection. The real story though is in the subtitle: “from shrimps to rats; from onions to oil cakes and mice, the food consumed by the animals at the “zoo” during 1912.

We see 15,000 pounds of lettuce in a lump and a pile of 4,220 bunches of carrots, along with a serpentine 185 wagons of hay and a snaking 219 wagons of straw; there are giant cubes of biscuits and milk tins, and an even larger cube of 183,000 bananas in boxes; there are orderly armies of goats and rabbits, and a very neat ordering of 19,000 pounds of potatoes in stiff white sacks. At bottom we see comparatively lonely contingent of 28 ducks; and of course an antlike column of 7,217 rats. There were also masses of clover, boxes of sparrows, 857 pigeons, 123 pounds of figs, 2 tons of dates, 93 bushels of hemp, 4500 pounds of grapes, 500 pounds of sugar (?), 34,000 eggs, and a slithering line of 25,000 mice. Most disturbing though is the central figure of a long, quiet column of 318 horses.

Old and New Mesker Park Zoo--Evansville, Indiana

Monkey Island, above and Amazonia below
Vintage pictures of Mesker Par Zoo Willard Library

Link Courtesy of Joanne Wilson

Evansville Indiana Zoo

This is probably one of the ugliest exhibit enhancements I have ever seen. A glassed box, similar to the tiger photo boxes now used in the Shrine Circus's to take pictures.

Old and New Mesker Park Zoo--Evansville, Indiana

The old lion house, above. Note the "added" elephant sitting up. New exhibit's below.



Tub 0 Gut's above needs to lose a few pounds. Isn't it odd with all that space that she is not running around staying fit?