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Story: Zoos and aquariums

King Dick

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King Dick

Male lion King Dick was the first animal housed in the Wellington Zoo. After he died in 1921, he was stuffed, mounted and displayed at the Dominion Museum for some years. His remains are now on display at the Wellington Museum.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_I008841

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Zoos and aquariums – Early zoos, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/18431/king-dick (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 1 March 2009.