I don't have any time for Casson's building, but it won't do to blame him I fear.
The architect is only the agent of his client's brief. ZSL gave him the space (which wasn't enough) and the instruction to build an elephant paddock, and indoor dens, without bars. They didn't give him any instructions on providing individual dens with separate access to the paddock, nor a paddock capable of being subdivided
All these factors made the building a lethal hazard for both elephants and their keepers, and they were down to ZSL animal management decisions. Nothing to do with Casson.
All these factors made the building a lethal hazard for both elephants and their keepers, and they were down to ZSL animal management decisions. Nothing to do with Casson.
This is from the chapter "An Elephant Never Forgets" from his book Zoo Doctor (originally First Catch Your Tiger, 1970), a chapter that deals mainly with Diksie's attempt to kill him (when she was having sutures removed following an accident on the previous island). Because of the number of accidents that occurred on that island, when the new house was being built Mr Graham-Jones suggested it be fitted with sky hooks but was told that would be too expensive. He also suggested having a mobile crane but this was deemed to be planning for a contingency that may never happen. He says no one really knows how many of Diksie's injuries were caused by struggling in the moat rather than by the fall itself, so the tragedy may have been averted had suitable lifting apparatus been provided.
