Four day old bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, February 1965.
One month old spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). February 1967. Born at the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan.
Two month old spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). March 1967. Born at the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan.
Three month old spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). April 1967. Born at the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan.
Young honey badger (Mellivora capensis). November 1969. Northern Nigeria, probably from the Kano area.
Young honey badger (Mellivora capensis). November 1969. Northern Nigeria, probably from the Kano area.
The same honey badger as in the two previous photos, but a month or so older.
White bellied pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Ibadan, May 1964.
White bellied pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Ibadan, May 1964.
Young male hammer-headed fruit bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus). Ibadan, June 1965.
Young male hammer-headed fruit bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus). Ibadan, June 1965.
Pair of red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus). Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, December 1966.
Male crowned or common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia). Zological Garden, University of Ibadan, 1966.
This young female crowned duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) was brought to the Zoo for sale. It had been raised by its owner from an early age and was completely tame. Area of origin unclear. March 1972.
Feet of sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) showing how well this animal is adapted to living in swamps. Note the wound on the back leg, indicating it was either caught in a wire snare or perhaps tethered. Area of origin unknown. December 1966.
West African or four-toed hedgehogs (Erinaceus albiventris). Zaria, northern Nigeria, March 1964.
West African or four-toed hedgehog (Erinaceus albiventris). Zaria, northern Nigeria, March 1964.
This male patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) is searching for food in its large, grassy enclosure at the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, December 1966.
Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) with her baby, born in the Zoo the previous night. 14 December 1966.
These young caracals (Felis caracal) were brought to the Zoological Garden for sale. They were almost certainly siblings and one was black/melanic. They had come from an area north of Ibadan, but it was impossible to obtain hard information. These animals subsequently did well in the Zoo.
Young red river hog or bushpig (Potamochaerus porcus). Zoological Garden University of Ibadan, March 1967.
Young Beecroft's flying, or scaly tailed, squirrel (Anomalurops beecrofti). Brought to the Zoological Garden November 1970. Area of origin unclear.
Another view of the same young flying, or scaly tailed, squirrel showing the gliding membranes.
Young Bosman's potto (Perodicticus potto), showing the structure of the hand. Area of origin unclear. May 1964.
Fruit bat (Epomophorus sp.). Probably the Gambian fruit bat (E. gambianus). Ibadan area, 1963.
Dr David Happold, ex Zoology Department, University of Ibadan, who wrote the definitive book 'The Mammals of Nigeria' in 1987, has kindly identified this animal as the slender tateril (Taterillus gracilis). It would have come from the savanna areas north of Ibadan but I have no detailed information.
This month old lion cub (Panthera leo) was brought to the Zoo when about ten days old by a hunter who had apparently killed the mother near Kishi, about 140 miles by road north of Ibadan. There was also at least one sibling that did not survive. Ibadan, 17 July 1966.
June Hopkins, the wife of a member of staff of the University, kindly kept the cub at home and raised it over the first few months prior to it coming to the Zoo. The cub was named Moshi after a river near Kishi.
Moshi in October 1966. Unfortunately, this animal, while at first appearing to do well at the Zoological Garden, died on the 18th January 1968. The post mortem examination showed that Moshi had heart damage and I feel it very likely that this damage originated in Moshi's conditions and treatment by the hunter during the first few days of his life.
The arrival of Moshi, and later a pair of imported lions, made it essential that proper accommodation be provided for the animals. We thus constructed a large enclosure and building on a grassy area of the Zoo where a number of small trees also grew. Christmas 1967.
Apart from the unfortunate death of Moshi, our lions did very well at the Zological Garden; they produced a number of litters of cubs which were sent to other zoos in Nigeria and abroad. The new lion exhibit helped to attract more visitors. By 1979 the Zoo was receiving nearly a quarter of a million paying visitors each year, more than any other public attraction of any kind in Nigeria. 1970.
The keeper, Nicholas Eze, with some older cubs bred at the Zoological Garden. 1971.
This young female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) was cofiscated from hunters who brought it to the Zoo, having allegedly captured it in south-east Nigeria. August 1967.
Dr Thomas Butynski, Director of the King Khalid Wildlife Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has kindly identified this monkey as the Nigerian white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster pococki), found in the forests of southwestern Nigeria. This captured specimen was photographed in Ibadan, 1967.
Young white-collared mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus). Southern Nigeria, October 1964. In the case of animals such as this mangabey that were brought to the Zoo by hunters, farmers or various middle-men hoping we would buy them (usually we didn't), it was often difficult to be sure where the animal/s had originated from. In such cases I can only make the broadest of statements re area of origin.
Termites are obviously not mammals, but so many mammals and birds feed on termites that these photos are of interest. An unopened queen termite chamber dug out from within a termite nest was brought to me. Species unknown. Precise area of origin unclear, but probably northern Nigeria. 20 March 1964.
The chamber was broken open to reveal the queen termite and a number of male termites. 20 March 1964.
Close shot of the queen. Note the enormous size of the abdomen compared with the head and thorax - a veritable egg-production factory. 20 March 1964.
Also within the queen's chamber were termite eggs and workers. 20 March 1964.
Almost certainly a Senegal galago (Galago senegalensis). Brought to Ibadan from northern Nigeria but precise area of origin unclear. 15 October 1964.
Mongoose lemur (Lemur mongoz) with her baby born a few days earlier. A small group of these animals was imported from Madagascar. Zoological Garden, April 1973.
This male leopard (Panthera pardus) was already in the Zoo when I arrived and was housed in the old building that was later redeveloped as the new reptile house (see the section on reptiles and amphibians, pages 3 & 4). As far as I could ascertain, this animal originated in Nigeria but more precise information was unavailable. Zoological garden, 1963.
These young female African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) originated in south western Nigeria. See short story on this website 'The Absent Elephant' for more information.
These young female African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) originated in south western Nigeria. See short story on this website 'The Absent Elephant' for more information.
Molar teeth of an African elephant. On the right is a complete tooth and on the left the back part of the preceding tooth. In the living animal the complete tooth would move slowly forward (ie. to the left in the picture) and eventually push out the remains of the tooth in front. During the life of the elephant, six sets of four teeth are produced. Note the ridges on the tooth's 'working' surface that can grind woody plant material.
We did what we could in the Zoological Garden to make it publicly known that certain animals were protected by law and should not be captured or traded. In the 16 years I was in post, only 3 chimpanzees were brought to us - see one occasion above. This vendor was appropriately dealt with and the chimp was confiscated without payment. March 1966.
Both of these young female chimpanzees (one is from the previous picture) were confiscated by us. Both survived, were later placed with a young male and the three developed as a compatible and seemingly well adjusted little group. August 1967.
Young African palm civet (Nandinia binotata). This animal was brought to me in Ibadan by a hunter who said he had trapped it in forest very close to Ibadan. Palm civets are nocturnal and eat small animals as well as plant material, particularly fruits. May 1964.
White bellied pangolin (Manis tricuspis) and young. These animals were brought to the Zoological Garden by a hunter but not purchased. After experimentation, we found that some adult pangolins could be persuaded to eat a mixture of ground meat, egg and other ingredients, but even so they rarely survived more than a few weeks. Precise area of origin of above specimens unclear, but likely to have been the Ibadan area. December 1970.
Same white bellied pangolin and young. In the wild pangolins live exclusively on ants or termites which they collect using the long, sticky tongue. The white bellied pangolin is a forest species and it uses its prehensile tail when climbing trees. December 1970.
The zoo keepers, from different areas of southern Nigeria, provided the expertise and dedication without which the Zoological Garden would not have been the success that it was. From the left they are Michael Iyoha, Fred Inanga, Anthony Akhiale, Dickson Osagie, Augustine Udoh, Thomas Popoola, Daniel Osula (Head Keeper), Victor Babarinde, Nicholas Eze, and Nosiru Sadiku. Photo 1978. Wherever you are now, thank you. I remember you all with affection and gratitude. Bob Golding, Bristol, UK, 2012.
I was contacted early in 2013 by the present Director of Ibadan University Zoological Garden, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji, who came to the UK later that year and spent some time with us in Bristol. Above, Jumoke in my conservatory during her stay.
At the request of Dr Morenikeji, Bristol Zoo Gardens kindly agreed to take a keeper from Ibadan, Peter Nwaokolo, for a month's further training and experience. Above, me and Peter at my home, November 2014. The support of the Director of Bristol Zoo, Dr Bryan Carroll, and the Senior Curator of Animals, John Partridge, in providing Peter with this opportunity is greatly appreciated.
Peter surprised me by bringing with him this present from Dr Morenikeji - a large, framed image of some of the new buildings at the Zoological Garden. Included was a message that I found deeply moving.
In November 2014 Dr Morenikeji, the Zoo Director, organised a zoo and wildlife management Workshop at the University of Ibadan. Above is the leaflet promoting this.
Some of the participants at the Workshop, November 2014.
Dr Morenikeji asked me to send a video message to the Workshop, November 2014. MORE IMAGES ILLUSTRATING NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN WILL FOLLOW IN DUE COURSE.
