I Remember Samson Darlene Winter ISBN 978-1-61225-125-7 Copyright© 2012 Darlene Winter All Rights Reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced in any fo1m or stored, transmitted or recorded by any means without the written permission of the author. Published by Mirror Publishing Milwaukee, WI 53214 www.pagesofwonder.com Printed in the USA. This book is being dedicated to the men and women who work with the primates at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee, WI. All proceeds from this book will be given to The Great Ape Heart Project at The Milwaukee County Zoo 4 INTRODUCTION Not a day goes by at The Milwaukee County Zoo that a staff me1nber or a volunteer doesn't hear a visitor say, "I remember Samson." He was as well known as Fonzie, LaVerne and Shirley, and even Milwaukee's politicians. Many people at that time came to the zoo just to see Samson. His reputation extended far beyond the state of Wisconsin. Many felt he was the largest gorilla in captivity. It was reported that a story about him appeared in a Bankok newspaper and that his picture was exhibited in a primate center in Japan. He had even been mentioned in several books about gorillas. Samson became an ambassador not only for the zoo, but for gorillas in general, since at that time there were only a few in captivity and little was known about them. I felt, however, that a story of Samson needed to be expanded somewhat to incorporate information on zoos and the developn1ent and evaluation of gorillas in captivity. 5 6 Chapter 1 Ancient Times The oldest known zoological collection was discovered in 2009 at an archeological dig in Egypt. It was believed to be from around 3500 BC and included such exotic animals as hippos, elephants, baboons, and wildcats. In the 2nd century, BCE, the Chinese Empress Tanki had a house built for her deer and King Wen of Zhou had a 1,500 acre zoo. Other well-known animal collectors were King Solomon and King Nebuchadnezzar ofBabylonia. By the 4th century, BCE, zoos existed in most Greek city states. Alexander the Great sent back animals he found on his military expeditions. Ron1an einperors kept private collections of animals for study or use in the arena, where many animals died. Medieval Tin1es Henry I of England kept a collection of animals at his palace in Woodstock which included lions, leopards, and camels. The most prominent collection was in the Tower of London, created as early as 1204 by King John I. Henry III received, as a wedding gift in 1235, three leopards from Fredrick II Holy Roman Emperor. In 1264, the animals were moved to the Bulwark, renamed the Lion Tower near the western entrance to the tower. It was opened to the public during the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century. During the 18th century, the price of admission was three half-pence or a cat or dog for feeding the lions. The animals were moved to the London Zoo when it opened. 7 Later Years The London Zoo opened in 1828 and at first called itself a menagerie or "zoological garden," short for "Gardens and menagerie of the Zoological Society of London." The abbreviation "zoo" first appeared in print in the United Kingdom around 1847. The oldest existing zoo is the Vienna Zoo in Austria and was opened to the public in 1754. In 1859, a charter establishing the Zoological Society of Philadelphia Zoo was confirmed but the zoo did not actually open to the public until July 1, 1874. The delay was due to the civil war. Central Park in New York had a menagerie and, in 1864, it received a charter confirmation as a zoo and opened to the public that same year. Zoos began to spring up all over the world and, in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) (fonnerly known as American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums) was formed as an affiliate of the American Institute of Park Executives. In January 1972 it became an independent association. In 1970, ecology emerged as a matter of public interest and a few zoos in the U.S., together with the AZA, decided to n1ake conservation its highest priority. Many zoos stopped having their animals perform tricks for visitors. Human Exhibits In 1904, a Congolese Mbuti pygmy named Ota Benga was purchased from slave traders who had attacked his village, killing his wife and two children. Samuel Phillips, e1nployed by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, had negotiated Ota's release and Ota was featured in an 8 anthropology display for the Louisiana Exhibition. After about two years of travel, Ota was caged at the Bronx Zoo where he was exhibited in the monkey house as part of a display intended to promote concepts of human evolution and scientific racism. Ota would carry an orangutan around the cage like a father. After repeated protests from local clergy, the mayor finally had Ota released. However, he was released to be institutionalized where he died at the age of 32. Human beings were also displayed in cages during the 1931 Paris Colonial Exposition and as late as 1958 in a "Congolese village" display at Expo '58 in Brussels. Zoo Accreditation Accreditation means official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium obtained after completion of a detailed application and a multi-day on-site inspection by a team of experts from around the country. Only those zoos and aquariums that meet their high standards can become members ofAZA . The benefits of an accreditation develops the public's confidence in the zoo or aquarium knowing that the institution meets or exceeds current professional standards. The accreditation provides a publicly recognized badge signifying excellence in, and commitment to, such things as animal care, conservation, education, and distinguishes AZA­ accredited zoos and aquariums from "roadside zoos." It also allows the institution to participate in animal exchanges with other AZA institutions and to collaborate with other AZA colleagues in the valuable exchange of information. 9 Chapter 2 The Washington Park Zoo In 1892, Milwaukee officials decided they wanted to create a zoo. It was named West Park Zoo and began with 8 deer donated by Louis Auer and Col. Gustave Pabst. I I • • 10 Later, an eagle was donated by Louis Lotz, a druggist. In 1899, the first structure was built to house the herbivore animals. 11 Rr/1crtrd ff. Bw11 _. first clircl"lnr r1f th e zno .. a11rl his /rir11rl Ch ili. On September 29, 1900, the name was changed to the Washington Park Zoo and in 1906, Edward Bean becaine the first zoo director until 1927. Ed's philosophy was not to have a great nun1ber of individual species but to exhibit as great a number of species as was consistent with their good care and companionship. That's why when Ed started in 1906, the zoo had 75 ani111als and when he left, the zoo had 800 animals. 12 In 1919, a polar bear was born at the zoo, which was the first cub born in captivity in North America. Congratulations came from all over the world, putting Washington Park Zoo "on the map." In 1927, an innovation of considerable scientific interest and public popularity took place. Green lights were installed to achieve a moonlight effect in the zoo and the public could now see wildlife at night. Throughout the 1930s, the most popular primate at the zoo was the chimpanzee named Mary Lou. She would dine at 4 p.m. each day, sitting at a table using a knife, fork, and spoon. She would mimic and entertain the zoo crowd. While wearing a dress and hat, she would visit the downtown Gimbels store with her keeper. In 193 7, it became evident that the zoo was deteriorating. Exhibit lighting was inadequate as bars and other ironwork needed repair. Also, the zoo had no room to expand the 23 acres it then occupied. The zoo was now under the jurisdiction of Milwaukee County and in order for the zoo to be moved to larger quaiters where there would still be ample space to expand further, it was necessary for the boundary of Milwaukee's city limits to be expanded so that the land could then be purchased for the zoo. Such an expansion was complete and that is why Milwaukee County extends out almost like a finger in between West Allis and Wauwatosa, so that the zoo could remain part of the Milwaukee County park system. In 1947, George Speidel became zoo director until 1978. He received his training from Edward Bean, which is not surprising since Ed was George's father-in-law. George believed in hands-on experience as the best teacher. His dream was a zoo that showed anin1als in a realistic setting with no bars and fences. He wanted animals to be separated 13 by wide moats so visitors could see animals in panorama. He was, therefore, greatly responsible for the way the zoo exhibits are today. Pabst Brewing Company donated $10,000 to purchase a couple of giant pandas from China for the zoo. However, China closed its borders and it was impossible to get any pandas. It was decided, therefore, to use the money to purchase a couple of gorillas. 14 Chapter 3 In the 1940s, George contacted an animal broker in New York requesting two young gorillas for the zoo. At that time, to get any young animal meant contacting an animal broker who would contact a company in Africa, or whatever appropriate region, and negotiate for the animals needed.