ZOO 534

Zoo Biology 16:549550 (1997)

BOOK REVIEW

Zoo-historic: The Evolution of Modern Zoos

A review of New Worlds, New Animals: From Menagerie to Zoological Park in
the Nineteenth Century, edited by R.J. Hoage and William A. Deiss. Forward by
Michael H. Robinson. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, 198 pp.,
$15.95 paperback.

The title of this book derives from papers presented at a symposium held at the
National Zoo in 1989 on the History and Evolution of the Modern Zoo. If you
have an interest in the historical aspect of zoos, this book is for you. In retrospect,
we can look back and wonder how we were able to keep animals alive in various
exhibits that, until fairly recently, we would all little more than cells.
Divided into three sections with 12 chapters, this volume is full of interesting
historical facts regarding some of the major animal dealers (Hagenbeck) and zoos
prior to World War I. It has an interesting array of authors and subjects that cover
everything from the value of old photos that document different species and their
exhibits to the transition period of the natural habitat.
In the general overview, we learn that the appeal by William T. Hornday (first
director of New York Citys Bronx Zoo, today known as the Wildlife Conservation
Society) almost 100 years ago to help save the American bison is a major focal point
of accredited institutions of today. If we read any of Hornadays conservation titles,
it is quite obvious he was a man before his time. This is certainly what sets WCS
apart from other zoos. Starting at the turn of the century, his publications were well
on their way to educating the public about ecology, wildlife conservation, and
biodiversity.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the entire book is Chapter 9, entitled Ram
Bramha Sanyal and the Establishment of the Calcutta Zoological Garden. We get
more information on another person who also appears to have been ahead of his
time. In 1892, Sanyals A Handbook of the Management of Animals in Captivity in
Lower Bengal was published. It would be another 72 years before Lee Crandalls
tome was finally available.
In fact, Sanyals publication is mentioned numerous times in Crandalls bibliography. Copies of Sanyals work are almost impossible to obtain. Recently, the Zoo
Outreach Organization based in India has reprinted this important work. Sanyal was
originally hired as a casual worker being paid on a daily basis. When the zoo in
Calcutta first opened to the public in 1876, the zoo management committee hoped to
1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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Book Review

hire a zoo director from England with the proper scientific credentials. Sanyal was
finally appointed superintendent in 1880. It is amazing that he was able to deal with
and overcome a number of problems and still write the first zoo biology text.
As a long time collector of zoo memorabilia, I can attest to John Edwards
article on The Value of Old Photographs of Zoological Collections. Without a doubt,
photos are an important way to document buildings, animals, and events of today.
Tomorrow, we will look back and be thankful that someone took the time and effort
to preserve such important archival material.
The remaining chapters cover the history of American zoos from their beginnings, with one chapter devoted to the National Zoo. I highly recommend this publication not only for zoo historians, but for anyone interested in zoo history.
Michael Dee
Los Angeles Zoo
Los Angeles, CA