Bill Snyder (animal trainer)
Encyclopedia
Bill Snyder was the head keeper at the Central Park Zoo
. The New York Times said: "As every one familiar with Zoo affairs knows that Snyder has had experiences beside which those of other keepers pale to insignificance, his opinion carries weight" and "his original observations on hitherto undiscovered and unsuspected traits among his charges have made him famous the world over."
. In 1903 he purchaed Hattie, the elephant
from Carl Hagenbeck
and trained her for the Central Park Zoo
. Hattie was named after Snyder's daughter.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small zoo located in Central Park in New York City. It is part of an integrated system of four zoos and the New York Aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society , and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums .The zoo began in the 1860s as a...
. The New York Times said: "As every one familiar with Zoo affairs knows that Snyder has had experiences beside which those of other keepers pale to insignificance, his opinion carries weight" and "his original observations on hitherto undiscovered and unsuspected traits among his charges have made him famous the world over."
Biography
He had trained elephants at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey CircusRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
. In 1903 he purchaed Hattie, the elephant
Hattie (elephant)
Hattie was an elephant in the New York City's Central Park Zoo that in 1904 was described as the "most intelligent of all elephants". In 1911 she was described as "nearly human".-History:...
from Carl Hagenbeck
Carl Hagenbeck
Carl Hagenbeck was a merchant of wild animals who supplied many European zoos, as well as P.T. Barnum. He is often considered the father of the modern zoo because he introduced "natural" animal enclosures that included recreations of animals' native habitats without bars...
and trained her for the Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small zoo located in Central Park in New York City. It is part of an integrated system of four zoos and the New York Aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society , and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums .The zoo began in the 1860s as a...
. Hattie was named after Snyder's daughter.