Before Hazlehead Park had animals like rabbits and donkeys at Pet's Corner, it was actually home to lions, wolves and bears.
Aberdeen Zoo opened in 1966 by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) founder Peter Scott, after first being proposed in 1961.
While the animals shown in these pictures are kept in conditions which would be considered cruel now, during the time the zoo was open this was common practice.
Pupils at Auchinyell Road had an ele-phantastic time to raise cash for a big addition to the park in 1969.
Not long after this, the zoo started to build up its exotic collection.
A pair of cheeky chimps made quite an impression on visitors during the zoo’s early years.
They were regularly put on show to the public, such as in 1970 when Humphrey the chimpanzee joined the World Cup frenzy – despite Scotland not qualifying – by giving a football style show to onlookers with a balloon he “borrowed” from the audience.
His spouse, Heather, wasn’t seen at the display as she wasn’t in the sporting spirit – must’ve been a real Tartan Army fan.
And when the wintry weather fell on the North-east in 1973, it was up to the chimps to clear it.
Another animal to make its mark on the zoo-goers was a young lion cub.
Youngsters probably wouldn’t be allowed to play with big cats in zoos anywhere in the country these days, but in 1974 the children posed happily with a young lion during a fundraising day for WWF, even while it chewed on a plastic cup with its sharp teeth next to them.
10-month-old lion cub MacNicol, reared from the age of three weeks by zoo manager George Leslie in his own home
A new addition to the zoo in 1974 was 14-week-old lion cub Nicola. She was the second of three lions at the zoo and had been bought from Chipperfield's at Blair Drummond.
One of Aberdeen Zoo's lion cubs is the centre of attention on a flag day for the World Wildlife Fund in 1974.
Layla, McNicol and Victoria pictured in 1977
Two other of the zoo’s animals couldn’t bear each others’ company when they were first introduced to each other in 1971.
Dainty the bear had been there for six months before Bruno arrived.
And the six-year-old was not amused when the strange bundle of fur called Bruno arrived in the Granite City from Dorset.
But manager George Leslie was sure they would get over the grizzly start to their relationship as long as they learned to communicate, which was a bear necessity.
John Buchan, head keeper at the zoo, said hello to a couple of boa constrictors as they wrapped around his body in 1975 – but he remained calm. He obviously had a hi-ss-tory with the animals.
The zoo shut its doors in 1977 but reopened two years later as Hazlehead’s Pet Corner.
Now a £750,000 upgrade project of the council-run facility is due to be completed before April next year.
It includes replacement of the roof over both parts of the buildings, internal alterations and refurbishment, the installation of new fish and reptile tanks, new external access ramp and paths, and an upgrade to the staff facilities.
It will replace the current buildings which already hold animals such as bearded dragons, tortoises and Vader the 12ft Burmese Python.
Credits:
Pictures courtesy of Aberdeen Journals Archive