3-008-864 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The aye-aye, recently added to the Zoological Society's collection, Regent's Park, 1862. 'The aye-aye (Cheiromys Madagascariensis) is one of the rarest and least known of the monkey tribe...[It] was discovered by the French traveller Sonnerat, in the forests of Madagascar...It received its name from the expression of surprise said to have been used by the natives when it was first seen...The Zoological Society have...succeeded in obtaining the first specimen...that has reached Europe alive. Edward Mellish, of the Mauritius...knowing the interest that attached itself to the aye-aye, made great exertions to procure a living specimen...through the assistance of some correspondents in that island, [he] most liberally transmitted a fine full-grown example of this animal by the last overland mail to the Zoological Society of London, to be added to their splendid collection of living animals in Regent's Park. The aye-aye reached England in safety, though in rather poor condition from the effects of close confinement and want of its habitual food during the transport home. It is now rapidly recovering itself, though, from its nocturnal habits and health being not quite re-established, it is not yet visible to the ordinary visitors to the gardens'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.