Lyla Lindsey
Australia is home to several abandoned zoos, each with its own unique history and attractions. One of the most well-known is the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, which opened in 1923 and was home to a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, and zebras. Another infamous abandoned zoo is the Notre Dame Zoo in Mulgoa, Sydney, which was once the largest privately owned zoo in the world. The zoo was shut down in the 1990s due to the poor conditions in which the animals were kept. Another abandoned zoo in Melbourne, Victoria, gained attention when a decaying great white shark was discovered in a tank of formaldehyde. Now known as Rosie the Shark, she is preserved and on display at Crystal World.
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What You'll Learn
The last Tasmanian tiger
The Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Australia, is known for being the place where the last Tasmanian tiger died. The zoo, which opened in 1923, was home to a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, and zebras. However, by the end of the 1920s, with the Great Depression looming, visitor numbers began to decline. The zoo eventually closed in 1937, and the animals were sold off.
The zoo's ruins still stand, tucked away on Lower Domain Road, near the entrance to Government House in the Queen's Domain, about two kilometres north of Constitution Dock. The depressing enclosures that remain include a torturously tiny cage that once held a monkey, a padlocked chain that restricted a lion, and the cowered head of a polar bear sculpture.
The fate of the last Tasmanian tiger in Beaumaris Zoo stands in stark contrast to the zoo's initial promise. When it first opened, locals proudly proclaimed, "If Melbourne and Sydney can have a zoo, why can't Hobart?" However, the zoo's decline in the face of economic hardship and low visitor numbers ultimately led to its closure and the loss of a unique species.
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The zoo's owner, Emmanuel Margolin
Emmanuel's career began when a travelling salesman offered him £25 a week to join his business, trucking and selling goods around Australia. He and Cecile would sleep in the truck and eat in Greek cafes. By the 1980s, Margolin had amassed a considerable fortune, and he and Cecile had built what newspapers once called the "most amazing house in Australia", naming it Notre Dame. The house was located in Mulgoa, a suburb in Western Sydney, and was the sister site of El Caballo Blanco amusement park.
In addition to the lavish house, Margolin also owned the largest privately-owned zoo in the world, which was also located on the property. However, in 1989, an investigation revealed that he was using his charity, a foundation for endangered plants and animals, to fund his lifestyle. Although the foundation lost its charity status, Margolin was allowed to keep the zoo open. The real blow came in 1996 when the government found that the animals "were not held satisfactorily" and revoked his zookeeper's licence. In response, Margolin killed two tigers, two pumas, and a leopard. Although the move was met with condemnation, the government couldn't press charges because the animals were privately owned.
Margolin passed away in 2012 of motor neurone disease at the age of 83. His zoo and the amusement park were sold off to foreign investors, and El Caballo Blanco has since been demolished to make way for a housing development. Notre Dame still remains, its abandoned ruins looked after by a dedicated family of caretakers.
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Rosie the Shark
After her death, Rosie's massive body was preserved and put on display at a Victorian ecotourism centre, showcasing the beauty and power of this once-living predator. Over time, the centre was abandoned, and Rosie was left in a dark shed, forgotten by the world. The formaldehyde solution that had preserved her now turned a murky green, creating an eerie atmosphere around the tank.
In 2018, urban explorer Luke McPherson stumbled upon Rosie, hidden away in the abandoned park. He shared his discovery on YouTube, and soon, Rosie became an infamous sensation. People were intrigued and fascinated by the sight of this enormous shark suspended in time. Unfortunately, the attention led to unintended consequences, as curious explorers broke into the property, vandalising the buildings and exhibition halls. Rosie's tank was not spared, as people attempted to take her teeth as macabre souvenirs.
Despite the vandalism, Rosie found a new owner and caretaker in Tom Kapitany, a botanist, geologist, and entrepreneur. Kapitany recognised the importance of preserving Rosie, especially as a specimen of an endangered species. In 2019, he relocated her to Crystal World in Victoria, where she now rests in about 5,000 litres of glycerin, a natural preservative. Today, visitors can view Rosie for free, witnessing her immense presence and learning about the significance of protecting these magnificent creatures.
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The zoo's closure
The Zoos Closure
The Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, also known as Australia's infamous ghost zoo, opened its doors in 1923, inviting thousands of visitors to see its menagerie of lions, tigers, and zebras. However, this excitement was short-lived as the zoo faced dwindling visitor numbers towards the end of the 1920s with the Great Depression looming. The zoo suffered a similar fate to Benjamin, meeting its end in 1937. The main attractions were sold off, and the zoo closed its gates for the last time.
Another infamous zoo closure in Australia is that of the world's once-largest privately-owned zoo, Notre Dame, nestled in the hills of Mulgoa on the outskirts of Sydney. This zoo was owned by Emmanuel Margolin, who had a reputation as a strange character. In 1989, allegations surfaced that Margolin was using his charity for endangered plants and animals to fund his lavish lifestyle. While he denied these claims, a bigger blow came in 1996 when the government revoked his zookeeper's license due to unsatisfactory animal keeping conditions. In response, Margolin killed two tigers, two pumas, and a leopard, an act that attracted widespread condemnation. The zoo was eventually sold off to foreign investors, and its current ownership status is unclear.
The story of Rosie, a great white shark, also offers a glimpse into zoo closures in Australia. Rosie was initially caught in a tuna net off the coast of South Australia in 1997 and later displayed at an abandoned wildlife park in Victoria. The park shut down in 2012, leaving Rosie in a dark shed for years until urban explorer Luke McPherson discovered her in 2018. The video of his discovery went viral, attracting millions of views and unwanted attention to the park, leading to vandalism and the removal of some of Rosie's teeth. She now resides at Crystal World, owned by Tom Kapitany, where she has been preserved in a tank of glycerin, attracting around 50,000 visitors annually.
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The zoo's current state
The Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, also known as Australia's infamous abandoned ghost zoo, is tucked away on Lower Domain Road, near the entrance to Government House in the Queen's Domain. The zoo opened in 1923 and was populated by a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, and zebras. However, towards the end of the 1920s, with the Great Depression looming, visitor numbers declined, and the zoo eventually closed in 1937. Today, the zoo lies in ruins, with only a few depressing enclosures still standing. The metal sculptures on the gate that proclaim "Beaumaris Zoo" in retro mosaic are a provocative reminder of what once was.
Another well-known abandoned zoo in Australia is the Notre Dame Zoo in Mulgoa, on the outskirts of Sydney. This zoo was once the largest privately owned zoo in the world, owned by Emmanuel Margolin. Margolin was a controversial figure, and in 1996, the government revoked his zookeeper's license after finding that the animals were not being held in satisfactory conditions. In response, Margolin killed two tigers, two pumas, and a leopard. The zoo eventually shut down in the late 1990s, and the property was sold. Today, the zoo remains abandoned, with decaying cages, pavilions, and residences claimed by nature.
In addition to these zoos, there is also an abandoned wildlife park in Melbourne that gained attention in 2018 when a YouTuber discovered a decaying great white shark named Rosie preserved in a tank of formaldehyde. The park, which closed in 2012, has since become a popular destination for urban explorers. Rosie has since been moved to Crystal World in Victoria, where she is now preserved in a safer, natural preservative and can be viewed by the public.
While the exact current state of these abandoned zoos may vary, they all share a common history of decline and eventual closure. Today, they stand as eerie reminders of the past, with only remnants of their former glory remaining.
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Frequently asked questions
The abandoned zoo in Australia was called Beaumaris Zoo.
Beaumaris Zoo is located in Hobart, two kilometres north of Constitution Dock.
Beaumaris Zoo was home to a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, and zebras. It was also the place where the last Tasmanian tiger died.
Beaumaris Zoo is now an abandoned ghost zoo, with only the depressing enclosures still standing.
