Surabaya Zoo Founded By A Journalist?

SURABAYA Zoo (Kebun Binatang Surabaya) was once a most iconic, popular tourist destination in Indonesia, especially East Java. It had used to be a most decorated and renown zoo in Souts East Asia since it had more than 351 different animal species, or more than 2,806 animals in it.

And it is surprising that Surabaya Zoo was founded by a journalist, H.F.K. Kommer on August 31, 1916. In the first place, Kommer liked to collect animals of various species in Indonesia, and was supported financially by wealthy colleagues to open the zoo.

Since it was firts opened, Surabaya Zoo had attratcted many people to visit until now. It is located on 1st Setail Street Surabaya, side by side main road of Surabaya City, capital of East Java Province.

But when established by Kommer and co, Surabaya Zoo title was Soerabaia Planten-en Dierentuin (Surabaya Botanical Garden and Zoo). It was located in Kaliondo Street, and relocated to Grodeo Street on September 23, 1917.

But three years later, it was relocated again to Darmo Street district, on Oos-Java Stoomtram Maatschappij (East Java Railroad Company) assistance. Until then, Surabaya Zoo had been established on a 30,500 square meters land owned by the Maatschappij. Surabaya Zoo had implemented admission in 1918 for visitors, highly operating cost then brought it to the crisis. Consequently, Governor-General of Netherlands dissolved it immediately in 1922.

In 1923, the zoo's meeting of members in Simpang Restaurant had decided to established a new Zoo Association. One of the members, WA Hompes was appointed to replace J.P. Mooyman, cofounder of the Zoo. Hompes arranged all the activities of the garden as a leader to make help it survive.

At the time of survival, Zoo gained big help from Surabaya Mayor dan council member, A. van Gennep. Van Gennep tried to get parliament attention to the Zoo. On Parliament's approval, on July 3, 1927, Zoo Association bought 32,000 m3 of land donated by Airlines Railways (OJS). In 1939 until now the KBS increased to 15 acres, and in 1940 finished the production of the park which covers 85,000 m2.***