Bellevue Zoo was opened on 28 March 1934 by Sir Crawford McCullough, Lord Mayor of Belfast. In 1941, the Ministry of Public Security ordered the destruction of 33 animals after north Belfast came under aerial attack during World War II.
Animals, including lions, wolves and polar bears, were killed and new animals did not arrive until 1947.
Several elephants survived the attacks, and one baby elephant was cared for by an elderly lady who lived on the nearby Whitewell Road.