More than 100 years later, Ernest’s great granddaughter ” a Murdoch University Research Fellow ” would take a role as a vet at the zoo, keeping the family’s deep love of animals alive.
‘I have always had a love for animals but it is a bit of a coincidence I ended up here,’ 33-year-old Anna Le Souef said.
‘My grandpa was born here (in the zoo house) so I grew up with stories about the zoo when I was little.’
Ernest came to Perth in 1897 to take his post as zoo director and as financial support was inadequate, he was also architect, landscape gardener and road constructor.
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READ NOWIn 1898, he bought animals in the eastern colonies for the opening of the zoo in October that year.
He also spent time as a lecturer in charge of the department of veterinary science and ran free veterinary classes for farmers at the zoo.
‘I have just always had a passion for animals and I always knew I wanted to work with wildlife,’ Anna said of the family interest.