At the end of the 19th century, the Western Australian Acclimatization Committee was established to help newcomers adjust to the exotic Australian landscape in the burgeoning ‘western colony’. Although their introduction of European species into the Australian wild proved short-sighted, their second function was truly inspired—a zoological garden.
The committee enlisted the expertise of Albert Le Souef, Australia’s leading zoological engineer, to select a suitable site in Perth. His son, Ernest, was appointed Director at the age of 27. In June 1897, the first sod was turned in South Perth, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.
Over the following 16 months, core infrastructure was built, including accommodations for bears, monkeys, and mammals. The arrival of the first animals by ship, such as orangutans, monkeys, lions, and a tiger, further brought the Zoo to life.
Perth Zoo opened its gates on 17 October 1898, welcoming 53,000 visitors in its first nine months of operation. Admission fees remained unchanged until 1951—a modest six pence for adults and three pence for children!
When the 41-acre South Perth site was chosen in 1897, meticulous planning of the gardens became a priority. Head gardener Henry Steedman, together with Zoo founder Ernest Le Souef, dedicated countless hours to create a botanical haven. Cartloads of manure were brought in daily for two years to enrich the sandy, nutrient-poor soil. An artesian bore was sunk to irrigate the plants and trees sourced from all corners of the British empire.
The gardens flourished, boasting rose beds, lupin fields, exotic tropical plants, and a majestic collection of 60 palm tree species that still grace our grounds today. The Zoo even grew its own crops to feed the animals, including lettuce, alfalfa, carrots, lucerne and onions.
Ernest Albert Le Souef, born into Australia’s premier zoological family in Victoria, made an indelible mark as the Director of Perth’s Zoological Gardens. A qualified veterinarian and veteran of two wars, he brought his expertise to the role, serving as architect, landscape designer, road constructor, and animal collector.
Le Souef tirelessly endeavoured to provide visitors with a memorable zoo experience throughout his 35-year tenure. Beyond the animals, he introduced rides, tennis courts, shady picnic areas, and mineral baths. In 1919, he established a museum at the Zoo, offering students practical anatomy and physiology lessons, as well as providing free veterinary classes to farmers.
During the Great Depression, financial hardships forced Le Souef to make difficult decisions, including reducing staff and cutting wages, including his own. Exhibits fell into disrepair, rendering them increasingly unsafe. In 1932, on Le Souef’s recommendation, the State Gardens Board assumed control of the Zoo.
From its earliest days, Perth Zoo has been a vibrant centre of entertainment. Fashion parades, ‘beautiful baby’ contests, croquet matches, live music, car shows, Boy Scout jamborees, and even the Australasian Open in 1909 have graced our grounds.
Favourites among visitors were pony rides, goat carting, and unforgettable elephant rides, a cherished part of the Perth Zoo experience until 1961. In 1932, the Zoo Train began its rounds around the sporting oval, and the carousel enchanted visitors when it opened in 1947.
https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/about-perth-zoo/history
The Orphan’s Christmas picnic was held at the Perth Zoo on Wednesday 29th December 1909 and catered for 500 children.
The 1909 “Orphans’ Christmas Cheer” event, organized in Perth for roughly 500 children from metropolitan orphanages, featured a picnic at the Perth Zoo with a structured sports program. The 1909 program included a picnic sports event at the zoo, aimed at giving orphans a festive experience. The sports program often included races and competitions, with officials like a starter (Mr. J.C. O’Sullivan) and a judge (E. F. Waterhouse) mentioned in reports regarding these festive activities.
THE CHIEF SCOUT
VISIT OF LIEUT-GENERAL BADEN-POWELL.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
When in the course of time, the history of the Boy Scout movement in this State is written, doubtless much prominence will be given to the events which will take place during the next few days, when the moving spirit of the world-wide organisation, Lieut.General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, will be present to inspect the lads who have devoted their time and attention, under the direction of their leaders, to pursuing the tactics laid down in the first instance, by the defender of Mafeking. Monday next, it is anticipated, will in particular be the red letter day in connection with the movement, for on that occasion the Chief Scout will inspect his young followers and will witness a demonstration by them in the Zoological Gardens.
At a special meeting of the Boy Scouts’ Council, held recently, it was announced that Sir Robert Baden-Powell would arrive in Perth on Sunday next, but in view of the shipping movements, it is possible that he may not get here till Monday. On that day, as already indicated, a Boy Scouts’ rally will take place, their practical operations commencing at about 11 a.m., at the Zoological Gardens, where the lads have for some time past been actively engaged in preparing for this, to them, day of days. In all probability Sir Robert will arrive on the scene for the purpose of the inspection at about 2 o’clock. A scout camp-fire will be held in the evening. On Tuesday, at noon, the Mayor and councillors of Perth will tender to the Chief Scout a civic reception, and His Excellency the Governor has intimated his intention of holding a dinner party that evening, followed by a smoke social, to which latter the various Scout masters will be invited. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings next week the metropolitan troops will be entertained at the Town Hall and Queen’s Hall picture shows by the invitation of the respective managers. Sir Baden-Powell will leave Fremantle by the S.S. Themistocles on Wednesday next, en route for South Africa.
For the rally and demonstration on Monday arrangements of an interesting nature have been made, and the proceedings. To which the general public will be admitted by ticket procurable from the Boy Scouts’ headquarters, at 46 St. George’s-terrace, are summarised in the following official epitome:-
1. Troops will line the roadway from the Zoological Gardens gates to the Recreation Ground. They will fall in at ease in single file. Scoutmasters in front of centre of their respective troops. On the arrival of the Chief Scout, troops will come to attention, the S.M. saluting as the Chief Scout passes. Troops will then turn inwards and proceed to a position behind the swingboats.
2. On given signal 46 scouts will enter ground, and on signal of one long and two short whistles will, send semaphore message: “Hearty Welcome from Scouts of Westralia to their Chief.”
3. “Scouts at Work.”–A body of scouts on the march, once round the ground, halting in centre. Placing sentries and flag signallers. Tent pitching. Erection of huts. Installing of Field Hospital and ambulance. Laying of field telegraph. Erection of wireless apparatus. Kitchen: Preparing and cooking of food. Accident: Signal for ambulance. Attention at Field Hospital. Fire rescue work. Treatment of the apparently drowned. Relief of sentries. Recreation: Singlesticks, quarter staff, clay modelling, relay race etc.
4. At a given signal troops will rush on to ground, shouting their patrol calls. Form up in single file and then commence circular rally, closing round Chief Scout.
5. Address by the, Chief Scout. Presentation of warrant to Scout Commissioner.
Presentation of ‘Thanks Badge”‘ to Mr. Le Soeuf. Presentation’ of medal for Lifesaving to Scout E. McKenzie. Presentation of Perth (Scotland) flag to premier troop. Introduction of S.M’s. to the Chief Scout. Music will be provided by the Band of the Young Australia League.[1]
[1] The West Australian Saturday 29 June 1912 page 11