Lionel Walter Rothschild Collection

Zebra-drawn trap of Lord Walter Rothschild
Rothschild broke in and trained several zebras to pull a trap, which he memorably used to visit Buckingham Palace in 1898 Date: 1898

Lionel Walter Rothschild, in carriage drawn by a zebra, 1895
3329577 Lionel Walter Rothschild, in carriage drawn by a zebra, 1895; (add.info.: Lionel Walter Rothschild (1868-1937), 2nd Baron Rothschild

Giant tortoises at Tring Park
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Nathan Natty, 1st Baron Rothschild
Liberal politician, banker, philanthropist and father of Walter Rothschild, he built what became the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum

Giant tortoise being fed at Tring Park
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Emma Rothschild (1844-1935)
Mother of Tring Museum founder Walter Rothschild

Emu, rheas and kangaroos at Tring Park
Live animals collected by Walter Rothschild in the grounds of Tring Park, with keeper Mr Marcham, 1890 Date: 1890

Southern cassowary by JG Keulemans
Hand-coloured lithograph of cassowary head by JG Keulemans (c. 1898), based on the live animals at Walter Rothschilds Museum at Tring

Walter Rothschild Bird skin collection, 1933
Packed for shipping. The majority of Rothschilds (280, 000 items) bird skin collection was sold the AMNH in New York after he ran into financial difficulties

Walter Rothschild & collecting party, Algeria
Rothschild (second from right) undertook three separate ornithological collecting expeditions to Algeria in 1908, 1909 and 1911, along with Ernst Hartert

Visit of 1930 Ornithological Congress to Tring
Within the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum at Tring, bequeathed to the Natural History Museum after his death in 1937

C. Harris feeding Galapagos tortoises, 1898
Sailor and explorer Charles Harris was despatched to the Galapagos islands to collect giant tortoises for Walter Rothschild in 1897

Transporting Giant tortoises
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Emu and rheas at Tring Park
Rheas from South America and Emus from Australia are examples of the flightless ratite birds kept by Walter Rothschild at Tring Park

Northern cassowary by JG Keulemans
Hand-coloured lithograph of cassowary head by JG Keulemans (c. 1898), based on the live animals at Walter Rothschilds Museum at Tring

Walter Rothschild Bird skin collection, 1932
Packed for shipping. The majority of Rothschilds (280, 000 items) bird skin collection was sold the AMNH in New York after he ran into financial difficulties

Alfred Newton (1829-1907), Professor of Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge University in the late 19th Century. Newton was an expert ornithologist and tutored Walter Rothschild in anatomy

Walter Rothschilds Necropsittacus borbonicus
Plate 8, a watercolour painting on paper by Henrik Gronvold from Walter Rothschilds Extinct Birds (1907). Art original 56 x 78 cm. Date: 1907

Broad-billed parrot
Plate 7 from Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the World, Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild (1907). Date: 1907

Lumholtzs tree-kangaroo, 20th century
Lumholtzs tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi). This marsupial is found in Queensland, Australia. This watercolour illustration by British zoologist Frederick William Frohawk (1861-1946)

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"Lionel Walter Rothschild: A Legacy of Wildlife Conservation and Exploration" Lionel Walter Rothschild, also known as Lord Walter Rothschild, was a prominent figure in the field of zoology and wildlife conservation. Born into the renowned Rothschild family, he dedicated his life to studying and preserving various species from around the world. One notable achievement was his creation of a zebra-drawn trap at Tring Park. This innovative method allowed him to capture zebras for further study and observation, contributing valuable insights into their behavior. As an avid collector, Rothschild amassed an impressive bird skin collection that included specimens from all corners of the globe. His passion for ornithology led him to host the 1930 Ornithological Congress at Tring, where experts gathered to exchange knowledge and discuss advancements in avian research. Rothschild's love for exotic creatures extended beyond birds. At Tring Park, he nurtured giant tortoises with great care while observing their unique habits. Visitors were often treated to the sight of these magnificent creatures being fed by C. Harris or transported across the park grounds. Not only did Lionel Walter Rothschild focus on terrestrial animals; he also housed emus, rheas, kangaroos, and even a Southern cassowary at Tring Park. These diverse species provided opportunities for comparative studies and enhanced our understanding of different ecosystems. Rothschild's dedication to wildlife preservation inspired future generations like Emma Rothschild (1844-1935), who continued his legacy by advocating for animal welfare causes long after his passing. Today, Lionel Walter Rothschild is remembered as a pioneer in zoological exploration and conservation efforts. His contributions have left an indelible mark on scientific research and continue to inspire those who strive to protect Earth's incredible biodiversity.