A Guidebook Library: TLD's year-long randomised walkthrough of zoo guides

[Jurek7]

there is a vast amount of historically-significant information within the myriad guidebooks, maps, annual reports and other publications issued by an equally-innumerable number of zoological collections, much of which risks being lost or forgotten if an interest in such material is not passed onto younger generations of zoo enthusiasts.

I fully agree. I think collections of guidebooks and similar should be scanned and put somewhere online.

Actually, this is the only way how they can be both preserved and accessible, because they are too fragile. If the paper holds, quality of the paint and print deteriorates. Especially I worry about paper zoo maps. They are the best to document changes in zoos every year, but are low quality and physically cannot stand folding and unfolding.

If making an online library of zoo history is too big a project to make it hobbyistically, then people affiliated with some zoo might get some cash. Or some zoo could get a small grant for creating a digital archive of a zoo guidebook collection.

I remember that few years ago my question how to access IZES publications as pdf was met with rejection, and it looked like zoo guidebook enthusiasts felt strongly that only physical paper is valuable. But I think this is the only way to interest young people. To begin with, few young people have physical space for large amount of paper.

 

[Zoo2022]

they are too fragile. If the paper holds, quality of the paint and print deteriorates.

I'm not sure that this is really is true. I'm all for 'belt and braces' approach - do it both ways; but dont generalise too much! To many people of all ages, a real library as opposed to a virtual one is a much more magical and inspiring place; just like a real zoo is when compared to a virtual one.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Actually, this is the only way how they can be both preserved and accessible, because they are too fragile. If the paper holds, quality of the paint and print deteriorates. Especially I worry about paper zoo maps. They are the best to document changes in zoos every year, but are low quality and physically cannot stand folding and unfolding.

But I think this is the only way to interest young people. To begin with, few young people have physical space for large amount of paper.

It really, really isn't this is precisely the mindset I have openly opposed within this thread, in fact, and which has led to so many zoological collections ceasing to produce physical guidebooks and maps on the basis that "apps" and digitally-stored files are the only thing needed.

• Firstly, the concept of the Digital Dark Age is very real - when information is preserved only in digital format and the physical originals are deemed superfluous (or never exist in the first place), if the file format or storage medium used becomes obsolete, the information may well be lost entirely.
• Secondly, digital publications such as a collection map, app or the contents of a website are at significantly higher risk of being deemed "disposable" by the zoological collection producing them, and never preserved in the first place.
• Thirdly, in my experience the way to interest young people in something is exposure, not assuming that they couldn't possibly be interested unless it is dumbed-down and high-tech

Creating digital records of guidebooks, maps, pamphlets and so forth should be viewed as a "safety net" for historical documents of this sort, rather than the sole means of preserving and passing-on the information contained within as you suggest.

 

[Zoo2022]

It really, really isn't this is precisely the mindset I have openly opposed within this thread, in fact, and which has led to so many zoological collections ceasing to produce physical guidebooks and maps on the basis that "apps" and digitally-stored files are the only thing needed.

• Firstly, the concept of the Digital Dark Age is very real - when information is preserved only in digital format and the physical originals are deemed superfluous (or never exist in the first place), if the file format or storage medium used becomes obsolete, the information may well be lost entirely.
• Secondly, digital publications such as a collection map, app or the contents of a website are at significantly higher risk of being deemed "disposable" by the zoological collection producing them, and never preserved in the first place.
• Thirdly, in my experience the way to interest young people in something is exposure, not assuming that they couldn't possibly be interested unless it is dumbed-down and high-tech

Creating digital records of guidebooks, maps, pamphlets and so forth should be viewed as a "safety net" for historical documents of this sort, rather than the sole means of preserving and passing-on the information contained within as you suggest.

Absolutely - exactly what I said above
Virtual digital material is so easily ignored and dismissed - click and its gone, leaving little impact or memory. It is not a replacement for the physical object, be it a live animal, a good meal, a classic car, or a book...

 

[PossumRoach]

I remember that few years ago my question how to access IZES publications as pdf was met with rejection, and it looked like zoo guidebook enthusiasts felt strongly that only physical paper is valuable. But I think this is the only way to interest young people. To begin with, few young people have physical space for large amount of paper.

Yes. and no.

My college back at Florida was subscribed to IZES (the only library in Florida to do so at the time) and had zoo grapevine on the shelves starting from issue 42. After the covid lockdowns, they had to cancel their subscription in order to reduce losses. They never got any issues since winter 2019/2020. So I missed out on six or seven issues before I left Florida. Not to mention, they put away the magazines from the shelves (before willingy giving them away to me). So now if some bright-eyed Floridian future-zoo-nerd who may want to check out this cool magazine about zoos around the world will have to take a hike once they ask their library about this random magazine about zoos. Not to mention many editions are not on the website so it is impossible for a newcommer to be able to get up to date with the magazine unless they are able to go to a specialized meet up which is not something everyone is able to do. This is why I agree with many of your statements.

However, I only got interested on Zoo Grapevine because I was able to see a physical copy of one, so a pdf file is not the only way to grab a young chap's attention.

when information is preserved only in digital format and the physical originals are deemed superfluous (or never exist in the first place), if the file format or storage medium used becomes obsolete, the information may well be lost entirely.

Reading this gave me a flashback of working with physical recods from the zoo I once worked at in Florida. I forgot what I exactly did with them but I remember that they were not going to be preserved probably becasue the information on there is already on ZIMS. Which blows becasue it showed the old structure on how the collection was manage which I found interesting.

edit: probably putting them to recycling

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Day 107: Dieregaarde Blijdorp (1978) - Giraffe (International Edition)

Page count: 32 pages
Photographs: 42 photographs (4 black-and-white)
Illustrations/diagrams: 3 drawings showing historical images of zoo.
Layout: Main body of text divided into English, German and French-language segments; each contains a historical account and discussion of the Riviera Hall and adjacent Tropical House, alongside species accounts which differ from language-to-language.
Map: N/A

This one has been somewhat slow in coming - I have two or three partially-written posts on a few guidebooks, but COVID brain-fog is hitting me pretty hard as such, this is not the Blijdorp guidebook of which I spoke awhile ago, and which came up in the random selection prior to the recent open-request session, but a somewhat shorter and simpler edition which I am hoping will be a little easier to write about before the current burst of mental energy dissipates! Either way, I have selected this guidebook in the hope that it goes some way to satisfying the stated interest by @Ursus for material published by a Dutch collection - other than the aforementioned lengthier guidebook from Blijdorp, I have another guidebook selected for the purpose which I hope to write about anon.

This particular guidebook is actually the first such item from Rotterdam to enter my personal collection, having been obtained in 2013 at the oft-mentioned Zoohistorica event which took place at Bristol Zoo; from memory, I believe this is one of a handful of guidebooks which I purchased that day from Harry Schram, a long-standing member of the zoo enthusiast and guidebook-collecting community who was employed at Zoo Antwerpen as the head of the education department for several years, and previously held the position of EAZA executive director. Unfortunately, this was the one and only time I was fortunate enough to meet Schram, who passed away in 2017; as I recently discussed, the problem of attrition and brain-drain among those interested in zoological history is very real, and the loss of Schram is often cited as one of the biggest such blows in recent years.

This particular item was published with the specific intention of providing a multi-lingual guidebook to Diergaarde Blijdorp, comprising sections in English, German and French which each cover the same three general subjects; the history of the zoo, key species held within the collection, and information on the Riviera Hall and the adjacent tropical conservatories. However, the format of these sections is somewhat unconventional, as they do not comprise direct translations of one another; although the historical account and the discussion of the Riveria Hall and Tropical House appear to be reproduced like-for-like as far as my grasp of written German has been able to discern, each segment highlights a different selection of species. The guidebook as a whole is illustrated throughout by numerous colour-photographs, along with a small number of black-and-white photographs and illustrations; these are specifically associated with the three historical accounts, with the colour photographs applying to the remaining body of text.

The historical accounts provided within the guidebook are both highly-informative and presented in a fairly simple and easily-accessible format, summarising the growth and development of the original Rotterdam Zoo from 1857 onwards, the decision to relocate to the Blijdorp district of the city and resulting construction of Diergaarde Blijdorp, and the decades which followed WWII in surprising detail considering the fact that the account covers only a handful of pages; as noted above each of the historical accounts is accompanied by an illustration depicting the original zoo along with a small number of black-and-white photographs. Given my oft-discussed interest in zoological history, it is probably fairly predictable that I feel this account is perhaps one of the most interesting - and important - aspects of the guidebook as a whole.

The species accounts located within this guidebook, as noted, differ from language to language as follows:

• Tigers - English
• Cats - English
• Elephants - English
• White Rhino - English
• Hippos - English
• Orang-utan - English
• Chimpanzee - English
• Gorilla - English
• Banteng - German
• Camel - German
• Onager - German
• Flamingo - German
• Przewalski's Horse - German
• Giraffe - French
• Okapi - French
• Pere David's Deer - French

The accounts, as can be seen below, are somewhat simplistic, providing a general overview of key facts about the taxa to which they pertain; in a small handful of cases, further information is provided about the captive history of the taxa at Blijdorp, including breeding successes, notable events both good and bad, and information about the enclosures within which they are located. However, by and large these accounts are the "least" aspect of the guidebook as a whole; although the idea of providing information on different species depending on the language within a given segment is an interesting one, I feel it does not really work - and merely decreases the overall utility of the guidebook.

Fortunately, the segments of the guidebook pertaining to the Riviera Hall and adjacent greenhouses - which are replicated within each of the three portions of the guidebook - are rather more in-depth and interesting, albeit less detailed than the historical accounts of which I have spoken. These provide a wide range of information about the species held within these areas of the collection - both animal and plant - along with details relating to the dimensions and design of the houses in question, and the conditions of temperature and humidity which were maintained within. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these portions of the guidebook is the fact that the flowers, trees and other vegetation growing within these exhibits is given more focus than is the case for the animal species displayed within; as I have mentioned previously, I feel that it is important to highlight such aspects of a zoological collection where they comprise a particular strength of said collection, and therefore rather appreciate those occasions when a guidebook contains material of this nature.

Overall, this is a rather unusual and interesting guidebook - albeit one which displays a number of key weaknesses. Firstly, as noted, I feel that although a multi-lingual guidebook is a useful and interesting resource when achieved well, in this particular case it falls short due to the baffling decision to make some of the content language-exclusive, rather than expanding the species accounts in each language segment to cover all taxa discussed. Moreover, it somewhat feels like a mere advertisement for specific aspects of the collection rather than a cohesive guidebook to the collection, given the fact that barring the Riviera Hall and tropical house no other exhibits or houses are discussed barring very brief allusions in passing within some of the species accounts; this is something which could have been ameliorated somewhat were a map of the collection present within the guidebook, I think. However, one of the key strengths of the guidebook is undeniably the historical account which opens each segment of the text, given the quantity and quality of the content within - as such, given the fact this guidebook appears to be fairly commonplace and regularly appears on the secondary market for low prices, it is certainly worth purchasing if one is interested in the history of Blijdorp, and indeed the prior city zoo within Rotterdam.

 

[Ursus]

Day 107: Dieregaarde Blijdorp (1978) - Giraffe (International Edition)

Page count: 32 pages
Photographs: 42 photographs (4 black-and-white)
Illustrations/diagrams: 3 drawings showing historical images of zoo.
Layout: Main body of text divided into English, German and French-language segments; each contains a historical account and discussion of the Riviera Hall and adjacent Tropical House, alongside species accounts which differ from language-to-language.
Map: N/A

This one has been somewhat slow in coming - I have two or three partially-written posts on a few guidebooks, but COVID brain-fog is hitting me pretty hard as such, this is not the Blijdorp guidebook of which I spoke awhile ago, and which came up in the random selection prior to the recent open-request session, but a somewhat shorter and simpler edition which I am hoping will be a little easier to write about before the current burst of mental energy dissipates! Either way, I have selected this guidebook in the hope that it goes some way to satisfying the stated interest by @Ursus for material published by a Dutch collection - other than the aforementioned lengthier guidebook from Blijdorp, I have another guidebook selected for the purpose which I hope to write about anon.

This particular guidebook is actually the first such item from Rotterdam to enter my personal collection, having been obtained in 2013 at the oft-mentioned Zoohistorica event which took place at Bristol Zoo; from memory, I believe this is one of a handful of guidebooks which I purchased that day from Harry Schram, a long-standing member of the zoo enthusiast and guidebook-collecting community who was employed at Zoo Antwerpen as the head of the education department for several years, and previously held the position of EAZA executive director. Unfortunately, this was the one and only time I was fortunate enough to meet Schram, who passed away in 2017; as I recently discussed, the problem of attrition and brain-drain among those interested in zoological history is very real, and the loss of Schram is often cited as one of the biggest such blows in recent years.

This particular item was published with the specific intention of providing a multi-lingual guidebook to Diergaarde Blijdorp, comprising sections in English, German and French which each cover the same three general subjects; the history of the zoo, key species held within the collection, and information on the Riviera Hall and the adjacent tropical conservatories. However, the format of these sections is somewhat unconventional, as they do not comprise direct translations of one another; although the historical account and the discussion of the Riveria Hall and Tropical House appear to be reproduced like-for-like as far as my grasp of written German has been able to discern, each segment highlights a different selection of species. The guidebook as a whole is illustrated throughout by numerous colour-photographs, along with a small number of black-and-white photographs and illustrations; these are specifically associated with the three historical accounts, with the colour photographs applying to the remaining body of text.

The historical accounts provided within the guidebook are both highly-informative and presented in a fairly simple and easily-accessible format, summarising the growth and development of the original Rotterdam Zoo from 1857 onwards, the decision to relocate to the Blijdorp district of the city and resulting construction of Diergaarde Blijdorp, and the decades which followed WWII in surprising detail considering the fact that the account covers only a handful of pages; as noted above each of the historical accounts is accompanied by an illustration depicting the original zoo along with a small number of black-and-white photographs. Given my oft-discussed interest in zoological history, it is probably fairly predictable that I feel this account is perhaps one of the most interesting - and important - aspects of the guidebook as a whole.

The species accounts located within this guidebook, as noted, differ from language to language as follows:

• Tigers - English
• Cats - English
• Elephants - English
• White Rhino - English
• Hippos - English
• Orang-utan - English
• Chimpanzee - English
• Gorilla - English
• Banteng - German
• Camel - German
• Onager - German
• Flamingo - German
• Przewalski's Horse - German
• Giraffe - French
• Okapi - French
• Pere David's Deer - French

The accounts, as can be seen below, are somewhat simplistic, providing a general overview of key facts about the taxa to which they pertain; in a small handful of cases, further information is provided about the captive history of the taxa at Blijdorp, including breeding successes, notable events both good and bad, and information about the enclosures within which they are located. However, by and large these accounts are the "least" aspect of the guidebook as a whole; although the idea of providing information on different species depending on the language within a given segment is an interesting one, I feel it does not really work - and merely decreases the overall utility of the guidebook.

Fortunately, the segments of the guidebook pertaining to the Riviera Hall and adjacent greenhouses - which are replicated within each of the three portions of the guidebook - are rather more in-depth and interesting, albeit less detailed than the historical accounts of which I have spoken. These provide a wide range of information about the species held within these areas of the collection - both animal and plant - along with details relating to the dimensions and design of the houses in question, and the conditions of temperature and humidity which were maintained within. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these portions of the guidebook is the fact that the flowers, trees and other vegetation growing within these exhibits is given more focus than is the case for the animal species displayed within; as I have mentioned previously, I feel that it is important to highlight such aspects of a zoological collection where they comprise a particular strength of said collection, and therefore rather appreciate those occasions when a guidebook contains material of this nature.

Overall, this is a rather unusual and interesting guidebook - albeit one which displays a number of key weaknesses. Firstly, as noted, I feel that although a multi-lingual guidebook is a useful and interesting resource when achieved well, in this particular case it falls short due to the baffling decision to make some of the content language-exclusive, rather than expanding the species accounts in each language segment to cover all taxa discussed. Moreover, it somewhat feels like a mere advertisement for specific aspects of the collection rather than a cohesive guidebook to the collection, given the fact that barring the Riviera Hall and tropical house no other exhibits or houses are discussed barring very brief allusions in passing within some of the species accounts; this is something which could have been ameliorated somewhat were a map of the collection present within the guidebook, I think. However, one of the key strengths of the guidebook is undeniably the historical account which opens each segment of the text, given the quantity and quality of the content within - as such, given the fact this guidebook appears to be fairly commonplace and regularly appears on the secondary market for low prices, it is certainly worth purchasing if one is interested in the history of Blijdorp, and indeed the prior city zoo within Rotterdam.

Came in just after I visited the zoo yesterday!
I really like how they speak so proudly of their botanical collection, and for good reason!
Also find it really interesting how they made this multi-lingual guidebook, can't say I ever really saw other Dutch zoos have multi-lingual guidebooks! Although I do vaguely remember a German one for Burgers' Zoo, given how large of a German audience it gets, it makes complete sense.

Lovely post!

 

[Skukuza]

Been a bit slow of late, and I'm away for a day or two - so I thought I'd open the floor up for feedback and requests!

• Firstly, is there anything I could be doing better in my reviews/discussion/coverage?
• Secondly, having discussed what I personally look for in a guidebook, and what I do or do not like, I'd be interested to hear what others feel about such matters! By extension, I'd be interested to hear about the guidebook collections of those reading this thread
• Thirdly, to get July off to a good start I feel like shaking things up and doing some requests as such, if there are any collections which people would like to see covered (or indeed guidebooks from a given country) feel free to provide ideas, and if I have suitable material I shall prioritise it!

HI TLD,

just catching up on this thread and saw this comment and your later reply and wanted to comment even a week and a bit belatedly to say don't be disheartened. As you note and others have commented I am sure there are a great many "lurkers" quietly enjoying this thread as I am.

To answer your questions;
1) Nothing I can think of.

2) My preference is for guides that...
- tell the history of the collection not just current holding
- tells you something about the individuals within a collection and their origins, pairings, personal traits etc rather than or as well as a generic species overview
- not exclusively aimed at children. be that a lack of cartoon mascots, activities and puzzles etc or the sophistication or complexity of the wording.
- contain a good map that is more reflective of reality than stylised.
- oddly specific but A5 in size as they are easiest to deal with during a visit and easiest to archive later. Trying to squeeze "A4" guides into poly pockets and either bending the guide or splitting the poly annoys me no end.
- have photos and not drawings, best if they are photos taken at the zoo itself.
- are up to date telling you about births in the last year or notable departures etc.
- haven't been written in, cut up or defaced by a previous owner! I know we talked on this point previously and we had different opinions on notes/writing on guides but this is my preference.

reviewing these answers I think I am most closely describing ZSL guidebooks from circa 1950's...

My collection is rather modest and pretty haphazard, I will take a guidebook from any country, collection etc if it is not too expensive.

Perhaps later in the year followers/collectors could do a Desert Island Discs of sorts for guidebooks from their own collections?

3) If it is not too late for requests it would be great to see more closed UK collections guides, Coventry, Southport, Poole, Windsor, Cleethorpes, Cricket St Thomas etc etc

Keep going

 

[Zoo2022]

HI TLD,

2) My preference is for guides that...
- tell the history of the collection not just current holding I think that is generally a subject for another parallel publication
- tells you something about the individuals within a collection and their origins, pairings, personal traits etc rather than or as well as a generic species overview yes
- not exclusively aimed at children. be that a lack of cartoon mascots, activities and puzzles etc or the sophistication or complexity of the wording. absolutely
- contain a good map that is more reflective of reality than stylised. not sure what you mean by that, so difficult to comment. Simplistic, stylised maps are usually easiest to use.
- oddly specific but A5 in size as they are easiest to deal with during a visit and easiest to archive later. Trying to squeeze "A4" guides into poly pockets and either bending the guide or splitting the poly annoys me no end. a good point
- have photos and not drawings, best if they are photos taken at the zoo itself. yes
- are up to date telling you about births in the last year or notable departures etc. pretty much impossible as most books are out of date before they even leave the press. Immediate news is better done electronically perhaps
- haven't been written in, cut up or defaced by a previous owner! I know we talked on this point previously and we had different opinions on notes/writing on guides but this is my preference.

some comments in bold

 

[Skukuza]

some comments in bold

Agree zoo history is almost always a subject for another publication but such publications are rarer still than guidebooks so will take what I can get even if it is a short foreword to a guide.

Sorry if my wording around maps was unclear, allow me to clarify.

My personal preference is for an accurate, true scale map even if this shows some exhibits as small/massive relative to one another. Think of the style of an OS map and that would be my preference.

Increasingly there is a trend toward having to have an emoticon/cartoon style fit within the boundary of each enclosure. I am perfectly happy with a numbered exhibit and key for reference.

Agree with your comments about the unrealistic nature of having last years moves published in each guidebook. If I were picking an ideal guide it would still contain significant news like this. Compromise on a printed insert perhaps?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Also find it really interesting how they made this multi-lingual guidebook, can't say I ever really saw other Dutch zoos have multi-lingual guidebooks! Although I do vaguely remember a German one for Burgers' Zoo, given how large of a German audience it gets, it makes complete sense.

I've not come across any other multi-lingual guidebooks from Dutch collections either - although I *have* come across several guidebooks which have been published in languages other than Dutch - generally English or German, as you note. In the case of two collections - Emmen and Amersfoort - I only own guidebooks which are in English!

it would be great to see more closed UK collections guides, Coventry, Southport, Poole, Windsor, Cleethorpes, Cricket St Thomas etc etc

Well, I can definitely do that - not counting those closed collections which I have already covered (some of which I own further material from) I currently have 14 other closed UK collections to choose from Windsor and Cricket St Thomas are indeed among them, but I don't have material from any of the others you cited; in point of fact, barring Southport I've never seen material from the others on the secondary market!

I have a guidebook from a 15th collection en-route to me at present, as it happens; I'll add that one to the docket when it does arrive, as a combination "covering a closed collection" and "discussing a guidebook from immediate impressions" review!

 

[Zoo2022]

A Cleethorpes Zoo guide-book was listed on eBay a couple of weeks ago. It started at the usual low price and eventually made nearly UK£80. Clearly at least 2 bidders were prepared to pay this, so the price perhaps reflects its rarity.
I would expect that copies of (practically?) every closed collection DO exist, but some of the rarer ones might be spread across a number of collections, with probably no-one holding everything.
Cricket, Kilverstone, Norfolk Wildlife Park do seem to be the commonest as would be expected as these zoos are more recent and all had quite large foot-fall in their day. Stagsden, Rode, Birdland and others come up quite often too, collections which produced books for most of their lives.
edit: TLD - if you have a copy, please include Kelling Park Aviaries on your list. I lost the one I bought on a visit there and have never found a replacement.

 

[Ursus]

In the case of two collections - Emmen and Amersfoort - I only own guidebooks which are in English!

Would this be the old Emmen Zoo or Wildlands Emmen? If it's older Emmen, I'd definitely be interested in seeing how that guidebook looked back then eventually!
Never sadly had the chance to visit old Emmen while still actively remembering it.

 

[Zoo2022]

Would this be the old Emmen Zoo or Wildlands Emmen? If it's older Emmen, I'd definitely be interested in seeing how that guidebook looked back then eventually!
Never sadly had the chance to visit old Emmen while still actively remembering it.

I visited the old Norder Dierenpark twice but they were not selling guide-books on either visit. On occasions I bought a Wassenaar map (not guide-book) in English on the day I visited for 1 guilder but have lost it since, the Blijdorp guide you show (again at the door), and an English guide from Apenheul, and (I think) also from Avifauna...

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A Cleethorpes Zoo guide-book was listed on eBay a couple of weeks ago. It started at the usual low price and eventually made nearly UK£80. Clearly at least 2 bidders were prepared to pay this, so the price perhaps reflects its rarity.

I really shouldn't have forgotten about that one - a chimpanzee cover, if memory serves me correctly - as I actually *did* bid on that one though ducked out long before it hit those heights!

edit: TLD - if you have a copy, please include Kelling Park Aviaries on your list. I lost the one I bought on a visit there and have never found a replacement.

Unfortunately not, although I shall make a note of your interest in case I stumble across one! In the meantime, fire away with any other requests which may occur to you

Would this be the old Emmen Zoo or Wildlands Emmen? If it's older Emmen, I'd definitely be interested in seeing how that guidebook looked back then eventually!

It is indeed the old Emmen - so I shall toss that onto the "to scan" pile for you

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Day 108: Linton Zoo (1985) - Lion and Cub

Page count: 30 pages (including interior front and rear covers)
Photographs: 24 colour photographs, 1 black-and-white photograph
Illustrations/diagrams: N/A
Layout: General introduction, followed by rough species-by-species summary of collection divided into taxonomic groups, concluding with visitor information and discussion of financial ways to support the zoo
Map: Located within interior front cover

We'll be diverting back to the "regularly scheduled" random selection of guidebooks for a post or two before picking up the remaining requests; this time, a guidebook for perhaps one of the most overlooked and under-discussed zoological collections in the UK - although certainly a collection close to the heart of more than a few members of this forum. Linton Zoo has released very few guidebooks over the years, with the last such edition having been released around 30 years ago, and this perhaps goes some way to explaining why material from the collection seems fairly scarce on the secondary market.... certainly the single edition within my personal collection is the first, and only, such item I have come across myself, The other major side-effect of the fact that Linton ceased to produced guidebooks some decades ago, of course, is the fact that whilst the few which *were* published represent a valuable glimpse of the earliest years of the collection, the more recent history of Linton Zoo has paradoxically gone relatively undocumented.

The guidebook opens with a fairly simple but well-labelled map of the collection; to be honest, it is actually a shade clearer and easier to interpret than is the case for the most recent map of the collection I have been able to find online, but is still a little confusing to the eye. Of course, this may well be partially a result of the fact that I am not terribly familiar with the collection, having visited on a single occasion nearly a decade ago, and it is entirely possible that both this map and the present-day map would be far easier to understand and interpret "on the ground".

Beyond here, the first segment within the main body of the text comprises a short introduction to the collection; as can be seen below, this covers a variety of subjects, including the background to the collection, its aims and objectives, and information about the botanical displays and gardens located throughout the zoo. The text is accompanied by an attractive colour photograph showing some of the aforementioned garden displays; similar photographs showing the plants and animals within the zoo, and the exhibits within which they are located, are scattered throughout the guidebook and break up the text in an attractive and eye-catching fashion.

The bulk of the guidebook comprises a variety of species accounts - divided into mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, with the first of these further divided by a section focusing on cat species - going into some detail about the taxa held within the collection at the time of publication; these accounts not only contain general information about the behaviour, diet and habitat of the species and animal groups discussed, but also specific items of information relating to the individual animals held within the collection. As one will recall from previous reviews, I strongly feel that guidebooks should contain precisely this sort of information, given the fact that it brings an element of uniqueness to the material published at a given collection, differentiating it from that published by other zoological collections holding a similar array of species. These accounts - although occasionally somewhat simplistic, especially where the bird and reptile segments are concerned - are largely detailed and rich in information, surprisingly so considering the relative brevity of the guidebook as a whole.

As can be seen below, the main body of the text concludes with a short segment discussing the financial pressures which the collection experienced at the time of publication - with the vast majority doubtless being just as applicable to the current-day state of the collection, as one can imagine - and the various means by which the income obtained from admission fees st the gate was supplemented. As such, it serves as an appeal for donations and financial support from those visiting the collection and purchasing the guidebook, and one which "feels" more personal and in-depth than the usual promotion of zoo memberships and animal adoptions which we have encountered in numerous zoological guidebooks thus far.

The final page of the guidebook contains a variety of general visitor information, covering subjects such as opening hours, details relating to education and scholastic activities, access details and emergency information - notably, this section also contains an explicit mention of when the guidebook was published, March 1985, which needless to say is highly valuable in placing the guidebook within the precise zoo-historical context where it belongs.

A somewhat briefer and less in-depth review than I would like - my ability to write long-form prose is definitely still being aversely-impacted by Covid brainfog, and I'm having to take advantage of the mental energy as and when it comes - but one which I hope adequately reflects the fact that this guidebook is an interesting, well-presented and aesthetically pleasing item, which provides a wide range of information about the collection to which it pertains and does so in an appealing and accessible format.

 

[Zoo2022]

Day 108: Linton Zoo (1985) - Lion and Cub

Page count: 30 pages (including interior front and rear covers)
Photographs: 24 colour photographs, 1 black-and-white photograph
Illustrations/diagrams: N/A
Layout: General introduction, followed by rough species-by-species summary of collection divided into taxonomic groups, concluding with visitor information and discussion of financial ways to support the zoo
Map: Located within interior front cover

We'll be diverting back to the "regularly scheduled" random selection of guidebooks for a post or two before picking up the remaining requests; this time, a guidebook for perhaps one of the most overlooked and under-discussed zoological collections in the UK - although certainly a collection close to the heart of more than a few members of this forum. Linton Zoo has released very few guidebooks over the years, with the last such edition having been released around 30 years ago, and this perhaps goes some way to explaining why material from the collection seems fairly scarce on the secondary market.... certainly the single edition within my personal collection is the first, and only, such item I have come across myself, The other major side-effect of the fact that Linton ceased to produced guidebooks some decades ago, of course, is the fact that whilst the few which *were* published represent a valuable glimpse of the earliest years of the collection, the more recent history of Linton Zoo has paradoxically gone relatively undocumented.

The guidebook opens with a fairly simple but well-labelled map of the collection; to be honest, it is actually a shade clearer and easier to interpret than is the case for the most recent map of the collection I have been able to find online, but is still a little confusing to the eye. Of course, this may well be partially a result of the fact that I am not terribly familiar with the collection, having visited on a single occasion nearly a decade ago, and it is entirely possible that both this map and the present-day map would be far easier to understand and interpret "on the ground".

Beyond here, the first segment within the main body of the text comprises a short introduction to the collection; as can be seen below, this covers a variety of subjects, including the background to the collection, its aims and objectives, and information about the botanical displays and gardens located throughout the zoo. The text is accompanied by an attractive colour photograph showing some of the aforementioned garden displays; similar photographs showing the plants and animals within the zoo, and the exhibits within which they are located, are scattered throughout the guidebook and break up the text in an attractive and eye-catching fashion.

The bulk of the guidebook comprises a variety of species accounts - divided into mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, with the first of these further divided by a section focusing on cat species - going into some detail about the taxa held within the collection at the time of publication; these accounts not only contain general information about the behaviour, diet and habitat of the species and animal groups discussed, but also specific items of information relating to the individual animals held within the collection. As one will recall from previous reviews, I strongly feel that guidebooks should contain precisely this sort of information, given the fact that it brings an element of uniqueness to the material published at a given collection, differentiating it from that published by other zoological collections holding a similar array of species. These accounts - although occasionally somewhat simplistic, especially where the bird and reptile segments are concerned - are largely detailed and rich in information, surprisingly so considering the relative brevity of the guidebook as a whole.

As can be seen below, the main body of the text concludes with a short segment discussing the financial pressures which the collection experienced at the time of publication - with the vast majority doubtless being just as applicable to the current-day state of the collection, as one can imagine - and the various means by which the income obtained from admission fees st the gate was supplemented. As such, it serves as an appeal for donations and financial support from those visiting the collection and purchasing the guidebook, and one which "feels" more personal and in-depth than the usual promotion of zoo memberships and animal adoptions which we have encountered in numerous zoological guidebooks thus far.

The final page of the guidebook contains a variety of general visitor information, covering subjects such as opening hours, details relating to education and scholastic activities, access details and emergency information - notably, this section also contains an explicit mention of when the guidebook was published, March 1985, which needless to say is highly valuable in placing the guidebook within the precise zoo-historical context where it belongs.

A somewhat briefer and less in-depth review than I would like - my ability to write long-form prose is definitely still being aversely-impacted by Covid brainfog, and I'm having to take advantage of the mental energy as and when it comes - but one which I hope adequately reflects the fact that this guidebook is an interesting, well-presented and aesthetically pleasing item, which provides a wide range of information about the collection to which it pertains and does so in an appealing and accessible format.

I visited regularly about this time, and remember the old bear cages shown centre-right, but these were always empty - the rest of the map looks exactly as I remember it.

 

[Bele]

After reading posts on guidebooks from closed British collections , I thought I would have a look at those I possess .
Amongst the less well-known collections I have guidebooks from - Barry (Cardiff) Zoo ( 2 from 1960's) ; Cardigan Wildlife Park (1980) ; Westbury-on-Trym ( ca 1974) ; Weyhill Wildlife Park ,now Hawk Conservancy,(1970's) ;Poole Park Zoo (1965) ; Sherwood Zoo (1970's) ; Bridgemere ( 1981) ; Midland Bird Garden (1980) ; Flamingo Gardens Olney(1975) .

 

[pipaluk]

I visited regularly about this time, and remember the old bear cages shown centre-right, but these were always empty - the rest of the map looks exactly as I remember it.

The old bear cages are still there over 30 years since they last held bears!

 

[Skukuza]

After reading posts on guidebooks from closed British collections , I thought I would have a look at those I possess .
Amongst the less well-known collections I have guidebooks from - Barry (Cardiff) Zoo ( 2 from 1960's) ; Cardigan Wildlife Park (1980) ; Westbury-on-Trym ( ca 1974) ; Weyhill Wildlife Park ,now Hawk Conservancy,(1970's) ;Poole Park Zoo (1965) ; Sherwood Zoo (1970's) ; Bridgemere ( 1981) ; Midland Bird Garden (1980) ; Flamingo Gardens Olney(1975) .

Quite a collection!

Have seen some second hand Cardigan Wildlife Park guides previously and think I have one at home (heron cover). I struggle to really grasp whether there was ever a "zoo" in any sense there though... Do you know please if there were captive mammals / birds there like WWT Slimbridge etc or was it more of a nature reserve?