Heritage et AL

Rats are a big deal in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Not only do they pass on diseases to people and domestic animals but they also pose a serious threat to our native fauna, which is vulnerable to these exceedingly tenacious vermin. For example, in 1959 rats invaded the tiny island of Ruapuke/Maria Island in the Hauraki Gulf (part of the Noises Islands). The rats made short work of the local population of birds, killing nearly 1,000 storm petrels . Ref: Auckland Weekly News, stormy petrel, Moko Hinau Island, 1937, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19371006-44-8 Quick action was taken and with the aid of a Wildlife Service grant of £5 and the efforts of a Forest and Bird Protection Society group led by A. McDonald from Waiheke Island, the rat population was decimated. The island was surveyed the following year to check for signs of rats but none were found. A program of surveys and poisoning continued for a number of years until 1964 when the rat population ...

The contributions of animals during war is often not acknowledged. Dogs as well as carrier pigeons, horses and mules all played their part during the First World War. Britain had an estimated 20,000 dogs by 1918. Dogs played a variety of roles during the war depending on their breed, intelligence and the training they had received. This included as: sentries - quietly letting their masters know if the enemy was approaching  scouts - patrolling ahead and detecting the enemies' scent and alerting their masters by 'pointing' in the direction of the approaching enemy casualty - finding the wounded or dying on battlefield and carrying medical supplies to the wounded who were able to tend to their own wounds messengers - carrying messages, particularly in the trenches where communication was difficult mascots - these were often the officer's dog in a military unit and were intended to boost morale amongst the soldiers. Ref: Auckland Weekly News, Dog auctioned f...

Dogs are have always been loyal companions, ready in the mornings with a lick and wag of the tail. Willing to be dressed up in silly clothes and to cheer you up when you are feeling blue. Back in the day this was no different. Take a trip down memory lane with your trusty wagging best friend by your side .... Dogs are always willing to please and be put on show: Ref: 4-8918, Spaniel on a table, no date, Sit George Grey Special Collection Ref: 7-A4024, a group of men with their Greyhounds outside the Avondale Hotel, c.1898, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 31-57955, Mrs Donald's Terrier, 1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 31-57036, the Watkins' Pug seated on a stool, 1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections  

Ever wondered what it would be like if animals lived like humans? Well here is your chance to find out ... Gathered from the vaults of Auckland Libraries' heritage collections are a comical selection of images of animal doing human things. Enjoy! Working: Ref: AWNS-19080416-2-5, monkey barber, 1908, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: AWNS-19050608, dog photographer, 1905, Sir George Grey Special Collections