The Zoo and the Loch Ness Monster

Zoo opened in 1876

• more of a botanical garden
• not much attendance => relied heavily on city subsidy
• completely wrecked by WWI, but rebuilt with French help.

The Monster:

• in Sternheim's play, Theo reads about a sea-serpent found in the Indian Ocean, which was a pretty common occurrence; there are hundreds of known sea-serpent species in that area.
• Martin's use of the Loch Ness monster may be an anachronism, as the story came to public attention later, in 1933 (pic: Nessie's first appearance - hoax).