Bill Snyder (animal trainer)

William Snyder (May 31, 1864 – April 26, 1934) was the head keeper at the Central Park Zoo where he instituted a system of animal swaps with other zoos.[1]

For the football coach at Kansas State University, see Bill Snyder.
William Snyder
Born(1864-05-31)May 31, 1864
Pine Plains, New York
DiedApril 26, 1934(1934-04-26) (aged 69)
Pine Plains, New York
Spouse(s)Anna "Agnes" Giering
ChildrenHattie Snyder
Parent(s)Christopher Snyder
Eliza Millis

Biography

He was born on May 31, 1864 in Pine Plains, New York to Christopher Snyder and Eliza Millis.

He had trained elephants at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.[2] In 1903 he purchased Hattie, the elephant from Carl Hagenbeck and trained her for the Central Park Zoo.[3] Hattie was named after Snyder's daughter.[2][4]

He died on April 25, 1934 in Pine Plains, New York.[5]

He was buried in Rock City Cemetery in Rhinebeck, New York.

Legacy

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."[6]

Images

References
  1. "City Does Not Give Bill Snyder Money to Buy Animals, So He Resorts to Trading". The New York Times. February 7, 1915. Retrieved 2012-09-19. Bill Snyder, head keeper of the Zoo in Central Park and the acting Director of the Menagerie, sent his annual report yesterday to Park Commissioner Ward. More interest is attached to it than to most department reports, because the city does not appropriate any money for stocking the Zoo and Bill Snyder has to exercise his business ability in swapping animals.
  2. "Her Cleverness is a Revelation to Trainers. Why, She Understands English" (PDF). The New York Times Magazine. June 19, 1904. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  3. "Park Elephant's Prohibition Principles Overcome with the Aid of a Block and Tackle". The New York Times. April 14, 1911. Retrieved 2009-07-24. Hattie, the $5,000 trick elephant at Central Park, which has been frequently called "nearly human" has gone on record as agin' prohibition. She went very much agin' prohibition, to wit, to the measure of two full quarts of five-year-old firewater. But her departure from a temperate life was the only thing that prevented her departure from an earthly one.
  4. "Hattie, Central Park Elephant, Dies. News Hidden to Keep Sad Children Away" (PDF). The New York Times. November 20, 1922. Retrieved 2009-07-25. Hattie is dead. Central Park's pet elephant succumbed on Saturday afternoon to the Illness against which she had fought for more a than a week. Unwilling that thousands of children who had loved the frolicsome pachyderm and ...
  5. "Bill Snyder, Dead, Zoo Keeper. Known for His Devoted Care for Animals in Central Park's Menagerie. Began With The Circus. Retired Official Likened His Charges to Humans but Doubted That They Had a Language". The New York Times. April 26, 1934. Retrieved 2012-09-19. William Snyder, formerly for years keeper of the Central ParkI menagerie in ...
  6. "Central Park Sheep Plays "Home Sweet Home" on a Mouth Organ and Beats Time with Its Tail" (PDF). The New York Times. 1912-10-21. Retrieved 2009-07-28. Bill Snyder, head keeper at the Central Park Zoo, is quite positive that a most wonderful thing has happened there. 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. Also his highly original observations on hitherto undiscovered and unsuspected traits among his charges have made him famous the world over.
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