Il giardino degli animali

Did you ever imagine a giraffe strolling through Milan? In the heart of Il giardino degli animali, such sights were once common. Il giardino degli animali, once a vibrant zoo within the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens, housed a menagerie of exotic creatures. From roaring lions and striped zebras to chattering monkeys and waddling penguins, the zoo brought a touch of the wild to Milan. Established between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it grew to encompass over 600 animals across 20,000 square meters. Imagine, during the heat of a Milanese summer, zookeepers would diligently shower the penguins to keep them cool. Their thick layers of fat, essential for survival in their natural habitat, made them susceptible to overheating in the Italian climate. This act of care was a common sight, a peculiar ritual within Il giardino degli animali. Among the zoo’s most memorable residents was Bombay the elephant. Acrobatic and musical, Bombay would balance on a stool, playing a hand-cranked organ with her trunk while keeping time with a makeshift cymbal. She even donned oversized cardboard glasses to entertain the children, accepting peanuts wrapped in banknotes, skillfully separating the treat from the payment. Sadly, Bombay passed away in 1987, and Il giardino degli animali itself closed in 1992. Following pressure from animal rights groups, the era of this unique urban safari concluded. Today, only remnants of the zoo remain within the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens, a quiet reminder of a time when giraffes, penguins, and elephants called Milan home.