Operation Noah’s Ark

This painting depicts “Operation Noah’s Ark” – the transportation of all the animals across Sydney Harbour from the old zoo at Moore Park to Ashton Park, now known as Taronga Zoo.
The first zoo of significant status was founded in 1881 by the Zoological Society at Moore Park, on the present site of the Sydney Girls’ High School. This site was then known as the Billy Goat Swamp enclosure. The collection of animals and birds grew in size and by 1910 it was realised that a new location for the zoo would have to be found, for it was too congested for the animals and too crowded for the visitors.

After many Sydney locations were inspected the Society decided to ask the State Government for a land grant at Ashton Park, in Mosman, on Sydney’s North Shore. Formerly a quarantine ground for animals, it had a beautiful water frontage to Sirius Cove and Athol Bight. It was decided that there would be no cages in the new zoo, with animals to be kept in their enclosures by means of deep moats surrounded by rock walls. The place was named “Taronga Zoological Park”, Taronga being an aboriginal word meaning “beautiful water view’.

After the Moore Park Zoo closed its gates for the last time in 1916, the Society began the colossal task of removing the 177 mammals and 329 birds. As the Sydney Harbour Bridge was not yet complete, they were to be taken to their new home by ferry. Newspapers labelled it “Operation Noah’s Ark”. The biggest worry was Jessie, the beloved female Indian elephant who had endeared herself to the hearts of Sydney residents, weighting a massive four tons. She had lived in the tranquil surrounding of Moore Park for 33 years, and was therefore quite docile. However, there was great speculation as to how she would react to being transported across the harbour by ferry.

Jessie sauntered out of Moore Park at 5.30am on the Sunday morning of 24th September, 1916. She was escorted down to the wharf at Fort Macquarie in Circular Quay. One hour later she boarded the Warrane, a vehicular ferry punt loaned by Sydney Ferries Ltd. especially for Jessie’s transportation across the harbour.

Escorting the punt was the Lady Hopetoun, a vintage Edwardian VIP and Vice-Regal stream yacht. Armed guards on the Lady Hopetoun oversaw the operation, ready to fire at the elephant should she become agitated and uncontrollable aboard the ferry. The vessel was also reported to be carrying a load of monkeys to the new zoo. Affectionately known as “the Lady”, she was easily recognised by her stylishly trim lines, graceful hull, well-polished trimmings, and low and raking superstructure. She served on the harbour for many years, and during her working life has probably carried more famous people on her decks than any other vessel in Australia.

The vehicular ferry punt, as well as other similar such ferries, then completed the transfer of the remaining small animals. These can be seen in the painting, waiting at the dock. On the left are the zebras and “Dizzy” the hippopotamus in his box.

In the painting, we can see an oncoming storm, announcing its appearance with a loud crackle and flash of lightning across the overcast sky. The animals startle, and there is a sudden moment of confusion. Jessie trumpets, the horses kick and whinny, the lions roar and the panther hisses, Dizzy breaks his box, the zebras try to bolt, and the female giraffe cowers around its brave mate’s long neck. But all are soon steadied by the keepers, and the animals quieten down.