A trip to the zoo – in a bygone age: Fascinating pictures of London Zoo visitors riding elephants and camels while others view polar bear enclosure from just a few feet away in the early 20th Century are unearthed
- The sepia images show the zoo before health and safety rules
Fascinating photographs of London Zoo visitors riding elephants and camels taken in the 1920s and ’30s have emerged.
The sepia images hark back to the 20th Century, long before animal rights and health and safety rules were observed.
Photos show lions, polar bears, chimpanzees and penguins in bleak, concrete enclosures behind prison-like metal bars.
One startling image shows visitors standing on a small balcony overhanging the polar bear pen.
They are almost within touching distance of the animals with nothing to protect them.
Visitors riding an elephant which walks past other spectators in a 20th Century photo at London Zoo
Elephant rides drew big crowds at the zoo in the 1920s and ’30s
The picture of the camel rides. The photos hark back to time long before animal rights and health and safety were observed
Polar bears appear to be waiting for food in the fascinating images
A leopard in its enclosure in never-before-seen photos of London Zoo
Elephant rides were watched by huge crowds. The photographer is unknown
A woman reaching out to a giraffe which is leaning over the fence in one of the evocative images from a century ago
A child looks on at a zebra behind bars and a fence at the zoo
People of all ages appeared to ride the camels – here two young boys are enjoying a camel ride
There are almost 100 photos which were taken by an unknown visitor who toured the famous attraction’s many enclosures.
The photos, split into two albums, have emerged for sale at Clarke’s Auctions, of Shaftesbury, Dorset.
They were acquired by auction specialist David Sims at a provincial Dorset auction house three or four years ago. Their earlier origin is shrouded in mystery.
David, who works at Clarke’s Auctions, said: ‘I bought the albums three or four years ago as I think they are lovely photos.
‘Sadly we don’t know who took them but they have never been published before.
‘There are nearly 100 images featuring polar bears, camel rides, penguins, lions, elephants and other animals.’
Lions in their concrete enclosure behind prison-like metal bars
Visitors were able to get close pictures of the tigers – pictured behind bars at the zoo
Penguins being kept in their enclosure with chicken wire
Families pictured on an elephant ride in black and white images which have emerged
A little monkey holding on to a chain link fence at London Zoo in the 1900s
The photos are split into two albums but their origin is not known
A family with a young child on an elephant ride. The first elephant at the zoo was acquired in 1831
A parrot entertaining the crowds. London Zoo was opened by the Zoological Society of London in 1828 to meet the growing Victorian interest in nature science
Photos show how close members of the public were allowed to get to the elephants and other animals
A yoga bear striking a pose for the camera! There are almost 100 photos of a range of animals including polar bears, penguins and lions which have been unearthed
Penguins lined up look up to their keepers. Today, London Zoo houses reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals
London Zoo was opened by the Zoological Society of London in 1828 to meet the growing Victorian interest in nature science.
The first elephant was acquired in 1831, the first rhino in 1834, Tommy the Chimpanzee in 1835, four giraffes in 1836 and Jenny the Orangutan in 1837.
There were early stories of elephants being walked through the city knocking off ladies’ bonnets and animals escaping because of drunk keepers.
Today, London Zoo houses reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals.
There are around 16,000 animals from 750 species, with the site covering 36 acres in Regent’s Park.
The sale takes place on July 16.
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