Cincinnati Zoo 5

REPTILES

   The Reptile House opened in 1937 and was converted into today's Birdhouse in 1953. The Monkey House then became the Reptile House.

KANGAROOS

   Kangaroos boxing was a favorite in the 1940s. Seen boxing is "Rodney" with his trainer Howland Kirby. The most dangerous part of boxing with a kangaroo was not their arms but their two feet. They would balance on their tails and kick out wiith both feet simultaneously. Not seen is a second person who stood by with a prod, just in case it was needed. Zoo's finally realized that this practice was not in their best interests and is very rarely seen today..

LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS-OH MY!

Brutus seems to have been a very popular lion. 

       
Leo                                                Joe

  Leo, a huge Barbary Lion presented to the zoo in 1934 by Otto Armleder. Photo taken by famous photographer Paul Briol (1889-1969).

               
Orphaned baby lion

   These real photo postcards are of a baby lion that apparently lost its mother since it is being suckled by the dog.

                               
A 1905 German card                                                                                            
Cincinnati in glitter                                                                                            

                       
                                                                        4'' x 6" card                                5" x 7" card

   In 1934 B. H. Kroger donated 5 Royal Bengal Tigers. Photo by Paul Briol (1st card.)  In 1974 "Kesari" ,a Bengal tigress on loan from the National Zoo, gave birth to 4 cubs 3 of which were rare white tigers. That raised the world population of white tigers to 33 at that time (3rd card). Kimathi, a female Bengal Tiger was born in 1976, during her first year she was the mascot for the Cincinnati Bengals (last card).

                       
White Tigers

       
   Jaguars  

BEAR  PITS

  Not postcards 
Drawing of early bear pits                                Scene in 1930s    

   The original Bear Pits were built when the zoo opened. They were constructed into the steepest part of the zoo property. Polar Bears were in the center pit with all other types on either side.

POLAR  BEARS

                    
Real Photo

The semi-circular cage shown in the 1st seven cards was actually the middle of three connected pits that were constructed in 1875.

   In 1934 Powel Crosley Jr. presented the Zoo with 6 young Polar Bears after their capture in the Artic. The center postcard image was taken by the famous Cincinnati photographer Paul Briol.

KODIAK  BEARS

   Admiral-The worlds largest Kodiak Bear at 1500lbs came from The Admiralty Islands. Photo by Paul Briol (1st card.)

GIANT  PANDA

Chia-Chia visiting

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