Some people don’t like zoos because, in their opinion, it is a real torture for animals. Although most zoos have quite acceptable conditions for keeping animals, animal rights activists have a negative attitude toward these institutions.
Brooklyn has long been considered a comfortable borough. It has everything necessary for living and recreation. Prospect Park Zoo has a long history of formation. Even though there are many similar zoos in the city, Brooklyn Zoo managed to win the hearts of people. Find out more at brooklyn-name.com.
It all started small
Many zoos have similar stories at the beginning of their development. Brooklyn was no exception. In the 1800s, there was a small menagerie in Prospect Park, where mostly common animals of the American habitat were presented. As of 1896, there were more than 190 animal species. There are preserved records in the city archives, which include a list of animals such as sheep, deer, buffalo, bears, one cougar, geese, rabbits, raccoons, turkeys and others. The variety of animals may not have been too great, but they were included in the first official list of “inmates” at Prospect Park Zoo on Flatbush Avenue. Brooklynites were able to see all this animal diversity only in 1935.
The zoo was created as a park development program. The idea of its establishment was implemented by the then Commissioner of Parks and Governor Al Smith. In the mid-20th century, animals already occupied two-thirds of the enclosures. Brooklyn Zoo grew rapidly and was liked by many residents of the borough.
Some of the zoo’s design elements have survived in their original form even in the 21st century. Old archive photos can be easily reproduced. After all, the site has not changed much.
Timeless design
The zoo itself is built in an unusual shape of a fan. This differs significantly from traditional zoo designs. Almost all zoos around the world have a system of twisted trails around enclosures and cages with animals. This feature makes Brooklyn Zoo stand out among other similar animal parks. Soon, some animals appeared in the zoo whose habitat required pools, for example, seals. Their pool is the focal point of the entire zoo area.
Prospect Park’s administrators allocated seven acres (2.8 hectares) of land to the needs of lions, monkeys and birds. Such area size was sufficient for them to live in more or less suitable and comfortable conditions by the standards of those times. A large building with a dome-shaped roof was erected to house hippos and elephants, which attracted the attention of all visitors.
Keeping animals in confined spaces could cause foul odors. That is why it took a lot of effort for the designers to make the air system in such a way as to prevent the unpleasant smell.
Animal enclosures were built to closely imitate their natural environment. However, there were also cases when the cage was designed to scare the animal so that they would not run away or attack the keeper. In particular, bear pits were reinforced with boulders to create an illusion of mountain slopes, and also, a ditch filled with water was dug out.
While decorating the territory, the architects decided to use Rudyard Kipling’s story “The Jungle Book” as the backdrop. This idea is far from being unique since the same patterns have often been repeated in other zoos.
Stlll, there is one thing in which Brooklyn Zoo has surpassed others – famous sculptures. The most professional craftsmen, Victor Peter and Frederick MacMonnies, worked on its decoration.
Required changes
Changes are all around us. With the development of zoology and the study of the animal world, the Zoo in Prospect Park had to face changes. In the 1980s, the zoo management could establish relations with the city authorities. Such an alliance made the life of the zoo easier. Repair works began, and later the management was entrusted to Wildlife Conservation Society. The renovated zoo opened in 1993, and its restoration cost the Society $37 million.
The restorers did their work with respect and honor, trying to preserve the historical basis of the park. In the end, the primary territory planning was kept in its former state.
Most of the enclosures had to be rebuilt because they were unfit for animals and dangerous for visitors. The modern administrative building was placed on the site of the old bear exhibition. Their pits were not safe, which led to the child’s death. It was the lack of thick barriers and fences that allowed the two boys to get in the bears’ cage.
As a result of Prospect Park Zoo reconstruction, bigger animals were transferred to other zoos. Small animals that do not require a large area were left in Brooklyn Zoo.