Zoo lady

Diane with Zebbi

Chris's mother was a keeper during the late 1970s at the Anchor Inn Zoo, beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Gargrave, North Yorkshire. Privately owned by businessman Mr Haworth, the fields flanking the side of the canal were home to a suprising number of animals. There were British breeds and creatures from hotter climes. While handling some of the wilder creatures, inevitably accidents happened ~ Diane was bitten by a capuchin monkey and has the scars to prove it.

Some of the inhabitants included ~ zebra, foxes, bactrian camels (two humped Asian camels), red deer, Pere David's deer, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, humboldt penguins, flamingoes, zebu Asian cow, llama, Jacob sheep, mouflon sheep, donkeys, sulphur~crested cocatoo, chipmunks, buffalo, wallabies and coatimundi, members of the South American racoon family.

A garden centre now stands where the zoo was located, although memories linger in the Yorkshire Dales. Diane's love of animals of all kinds and her deep knowledge on many subjects, with dashes of humour has rubbed off on many over the years. We are especially thankful for the advice she has given us about animal husbandry.

Chris