The above photo is dated is dated 1919, and the below photo is dated 1906. In the below photo they apparently had some lost limbs or injuries as the animals were side by side each other, and the bars were too far apart, so they added the mesh, and spikes at the wall side, as I assume that is where most of the fighting occurred, by the "den" where they tended to stay. Note the bars and mesh are crooked, and I suggest they eventually almost pulled them off the rock wall. Also note the bent bars on the house/den. Something wanted out of there quite badly. In the photo above dated later, the mesh has been removed, and additional bars added to the bottom of the fence, plus spikes running the full length of the exhibit. It may have cut down on injuries, and "looked" better then the mesh, but I'll bet they paced back and forth at each other all through the day, and I'll bet made an "exciting show", for the public. How little was know back then, and how much has been learned today.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Vintage Lincoln Park Zoo--Chicago, Illinois
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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4 comments:
The L.P.Z. bear runs were much the same in the early 1960s. At that time they had a large male polar bear that would put his paws on the top of the bars. About that time the National Zoo had similar bear enclosures. They had some hybrid polar/ kodiak bears who could stand on their hind legs and look over the top.
Jim A,
I'll bet you a dollar I know where those hybrid polar/kodiak bears came from?
Wade
Never did understand the logic of those spike top cages. I guess the logic was that the animal would be stabbed to death before it got away. Seems a higher fence would eliminate the unfortunate stabbed to death consequence.
I'm assuming because they were made out of iron rods, they assumed if they were taller, it would weaken them, or make them flexible unless they made the rods thicker. Add cost, and the hooks seemed like a good choice. The cage at at Monte Carlo last year had a cage with hooks just like that on the top. I couldn't believe it, and how ugly it looked. Great way to promote loving them like children and taking the necessary steps to change, by Monaco, the leader of the European Circus Association. It is definitely time for that act to get a new arena, or put it on the shelf for good.
Wade
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