В зоопарке «Золотые ворота» под Саскатуном посетители могут гладить буйволов и волков

Every Thursday, we feature an image from the StarPhoenix archives, curated by the City of Saskatoon Archives. Today, we see the pond for waterfowl at the Golden Gate Animal Park, from Aug. 27, 1960. Some of the 200 animal pens are seen in the background. (City of Saskatoon Archives StarPhoenix Collection S-SP-B5209-2) The following story is from the StarPhoenix archives. Writing style, grammar and punctuation that may differ from today’s standards has been left untouched to preserve the original story. Wee Willie, the buffalo; Steve, the elk and Timmie, the wolf at the Golden Gate Animal Park are so tame visitors can pat and feed them. G. Nyholt, who operates the animal park located two miles west of Saskatoon on Thirty-third Street, says people like to have animals “personalized” or tame, and enjoy them more when they can touch them. The Golden Gate Animal Park, which covers 80 acres, had proved to be a good tourist attraction this summer, said Mr. Nyholt. The park has a total of about 200 animals and birds including ever thing from chipmunks to the tame buffalo. Deer varieties include the Virginia white tail, mule deer and the black tail or coast variety and the small Japanese Siki deer. The park was started in North Battleford as a hobby along with the Golden Gate Stables. By 1956 so many visitors were dropping in to see the golden palominos, a few deer and pheasants and other birds on the farm that Mr. Nyholt had to choose between abandoning his wild animal pets or enlarging the menagerie and charging a small fee. He chose the latter course and opened an enlarged animal park in 1956. By 1959 the pens had been so over-crowded he looked for a spot to take the over-flow, and found a location in this city. The animal park was opened here later the same year and won wide acceptance. Mr. Nyholt says he plans further expansion in the next few years. Throwback Thursday is a weekly StarPhoenix series where we revisit photos from Saskatoon’s past. Check out our entire collection here. What moment in Saskatoon’s history from September would you like us to revisit next? Send suggestions to [email protected].