Book to tell youths about Ahmedabad zoo architect

While visitors flock to the Kankaria Zoo in thousands everyday to get a glimpse of the animal kingdom, not many spare a thought about the man who made the zoological garden with all its wonders a possibility.

On September 19, as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) unveils the Gujarati version of Esther David’s book My Father’s Zoo, many in the city will perhaps get their first glimpse into the life of Reuben David, the architect of the zoo.

David was the architect, who, following an invitation from the AMC, went on to create the Kamla Nehru Zoological Gardens and the Chacha Nehru Children’s Park. But his popularity truly stems from his expert handling of animals and birds.

“Today 85% of people don’t know about Reuben David. He is a part of Gujarat’s history,” said Esther, his daughter and author of My Father’s Zoo — a collection of stories about the animals of the zoo and Reuben’s way with them. Reuben was also the first to carry out experiments in co-existence wherein animals of opposing tendencies could exist without clashes.

The Gujarati translation, titled Mara Daddy Nu Zoo, will be launched by well-known naturalist Lavkumar Khachar at the Ahmedabad zoo office on Wednesday. She said that while the Zoo staff remembered him fondly others rarely had an idea of his contribution in making Kankaria one of the best zoos in the country back then.

Interestingly, it was Esther’s fear that Reuben will be forgotten that prompted her to approach the corporation about the launch of the book on the 100th birth anniversary of her father. “While I was leaving a function, Ratna Raj Sheth of RR Sheth publishing company approached me and told me that he wanted the book to be translated in Gujarati,” said Esther. She said it was mere co-incidence that the book was ready close to the 100th birth anniversary of her father.

“India and the world know of him but through the Gujarati version, I want people of the city and the state to know of his contributions,” she added.