ABSTRACT
In 1902, the Japan Exhibition marked the last human exhibition held at Copenhagen Zoo. The exhibition proved to be a financial disaster, with attendance falling far short of expectations. The zoo took stock of the human exhibitions in its 1903 annual report:
In the spring of 1900, the zoo changed management, with both a new director [Julius Schiøtt] and a new executive director. The new management faced the task of bringing the zoo’s difficult pecuniary standing in order while improving and increasing its very dilapidated buildings and landscaping, and while maintaining the zoo’s ability to attract visitors. The latter of these was further pursued by adding human groups as attractions alongside the animal groups. By gradually accustoming visitors to the payment of a small special admission fee to the exhibition square [where human exhibitions and special animal shows were presented], the expenses of these attractions were significantly reduced. However, they presented a not insignificant risk, which in the case of persistent rainy weather, as in the summer of 1902, could be serious. Meanwhile, audience interest in the rather uniform dressage numbers declined. However, good human groups are difficult to procure, while those of poor quality can bring an establishment into discredit. 1
