Beaumaris Zoo is most famous as the place where a thylacine died on 7.9.36. Haunting video was taken of this animal as it paced its cage. With his death the thylacine was considered extinct.
I like to also remember Beaumaris Zoo for Mary Roberts. She led a remarkable life and her death led to the beginning of the zoo on the Domain.
Beaumaris zoo began in 1895 when Mary Roberts (married to a very, wealthy business man) opened her house in Battery Point so that the general public could view her growing animal collection. The house in Battery Point was big and luxurious and has recently been resold for multi millions. At the time her husband was one of the richest most successful business men in Tasmania. The Roberts name is still well known in Tasmanian business.
Mary was rich enough to spend her time doing as she pleased. She devoted her time to her animals and birds. Mary Roberts was very fond and knowledgeable of Tasmania’s bird and animals. She was the first person to breed Tassie devils in captivity.
Her home housed more than 100 species of birds, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, kangaroos, quolls, Tassie devils and Tassie tigers. Trappers knew she would pay money for healthy animals. She housed a number of Tassie tigers.
1915: She travelled to London and presented a paper on Tassie devils to the zoological society of London and is made a member.
1921: Mary passed away.
1922: Hobart City Council agreed to take over the animals.
Arthur Reid was chosen to be the zoo’s curator. He chooses the site. The site was a former 1820s sandstone quarry which provided stone for numerous Hobart buildings and housed the first powder magazine. Arthur Reid said if the animals couldn’t be free, they could at least have the best view in Hobart. He visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney and decided to copy their enclosures.
1923: Beaumaris Zoo opened on the Domain.
As well as the native animals there were exotic animals. Such as elephants, bears, polar bears, lions, monkeys, tigers, zebras. There were tea rooms and concerts by bands on a Sunday. Many festivals and activities.
1924: The Mercury described it as one of the most attractive places in Hobart.
Arthur Reid’s daughter became famous for taking Mike the leopard for a walk on the Domain on a leash. There are stories of her scaring people she didn’t like the look of.
Several animals escaped including a pair of sun bears who were shot by the police.
1935: Arthur Reid died and his family was asked to leave their residence.
1936: The last captive Tassie tiger died. The zoo thought no problems. We just get another one.
1937: The zoo was closed for economic reasons.
WW2: The site was converted into a naval fuel depot.
Today: Many of the cages and fences remain. A haunting reminder of the last of a species.
I like to also remember Beaumaris Zoo for Mary Roberts. She led a remarkable life and her death led to the beginning of the zoo on the Domain.
Beaumaris zoo began in 1895 when Mary Roberts (married to a very, wealthy business man) opened her house in Battery Point so that the general public could view her growing animal collection. The house in Battery Point was big and luxurious and has recently been resold for multi millions. At the time her husband was one of the richest most successful business men in Tasmania. The Roberts name is still well known in Tasmanian business.
Mary was rich enough to spend her time doing as she pleased. She devoted her time to her animals and birds. Mary Roberts was very fond and knowledgeable of Tasmania’s bird and animals. She was the first person to breed Tassie devils in captivity.
Her home housed more than 100 species of birds, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, kangaroos, quolls, Tassie devils and Tassie tigers. Trappers knew she would pay money for healthy animals. She housed a number of Tassie tigers.
1915: She travelled to London and presented a paper on Tassie devils to the zoological society of London and is made a member.
1921: Mary passed away.
1922: Hobart City Council agreed to take over the animals.
Arthur Reid was chosen to be the zoo’s curator. He chooses the site. The site was a former 1820s sandstone quarry which provided stone for numerous Hobart buildings and housed the first powder magazine. Arthur Reid said if the animals couldn’t be free, they could at least have the best view in Hobart. He visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney and decided to copy their enclosures.
1923: Beaumaris Zoo opened on the Domain.
As well as the native animals there were exotic animals. Such as elephants, bears, polar bears, lions, monkeys, tigers, zebras. There were tea rooms and concerts by bands on a Sunday. Many festivals and activities.
1924: The Mercury described it as one of the most attractive places in Hobart.
Arthur Reid’s daughter became famous for taking Mike the leopard for a walk on the Domain on a leash. There are stories of her scaring people she didn’t like the look of.
Several animals escaped including a pair of sun bears who were shot by the police.
1935: Arthur Reid died and his family was asked to leave their residence.
1936: The last captive Tassie tiger died. The zoo thought no problems. We just get another one.
1937: The zoo was closed for economic reasons.
WW2: The site was converted into a naval fuel depot.
Today: Many of the cages and fences remain. A haunting reminder of the last of a species.