[audiobook] Huntsville (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) by Jeff Littlejohn in Arts-Photography

Description

Opening day; September 18; 1875; dawned sunless and chilly; a shaky start for the second zoological garden in the United States. Exhibits were unfinished; and animals remained crated. The polar bear had not arrived; and the collection on display included a feeble tiger; a blind hyena; an elephant rescued from a bankrupt circus; a talking crow; eight small monkeys; and 400 birds. Despite the rough start; the venture by bird-lover Andrew Erkenbrecher and friends blossomed into a top-tier zoo inspiring a passion for nature-a champion of endangered species with its own college-preparatory high school and an unrivaled commitment to education; research; and innovative breeding programs. It has survived The Perils of Pauline economics as stubborn Cincinnatians came to its rescue time after time; charmed by animals and events found here: chimps Mr. and Mrs. Rooney; Susie the Gorilla who took tea and smoked Chesterfields; Rodney the boxing kangaroo; Martha the last passenger pigeon on earth; outdoor operas; and dancing under the stars.