2-981-954 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The New Lion-House, Zoological Society's Gardens, [London], 1876. '...large new building...for the more commodious lodging of the grand species of feline carnivorous animals...The interior is very airy and roomy, promising to afford the visitors to these gardens, in case of a shower of rain, such an agreeable sheltered promenade...[there is] ample room for twice the number of spectators that used to assemble at feeding-time below the terrace. There are fourteen compartments for the beasts, very much larger than they occupied before, generally about twice as large, besides a back parlour, or "growlery," for each of them...The collection at present includes a good many tigers, large and small...several Indian and African leopards, with a jaguar and pumas from America; and some lions, which do not appear this winter to be in strong health'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.