Although few photographs of the zoo even exist from the short time it was open, historians have long been fascinated by the site, which is now home to Cardigan Road, dozens of houses and even part of Headingley Stadium.
The attraction, which opened to much fanfare in 1840, was so poorly-attended, it would shut for good only 18 years later.
A short time later, Cardigan Road and dozens of new houses were build directly on top of the site.
While almost all trace of the zoological gardens have been lost to the mists of time, its proud centrepiece, the bear pit, still remains off Cardigan Road.
1. Designs for the future?
The population of Leeds started to grow rapidly in the early 1800s, and politicians feared a lack of green spaces for people to spend time in may lead to drunkenness and gambling. A competition was held to design a botanical garden in the style of new attractions in Manchester and Sheffield - this was ultimately won by Wakefield architect William Billinton, with this design in 1838. (Picture: Leeds City Council) Photo: Picasa
2. So where exactly was it?
The zoological gardens site is now home to the Broomfields and Cardigan Road, which were built after the attraction’s closure in 1858. The north tip of the former site also formed part of what would become Headingley Stadium. Photo: other
3. Bear necessities
When the gardens first opened in 1840, the site boasted a monkey enclosure, swans and an eagle. After considering the possibility of introducing elephants and lions to the park, it was decided to add a fully grown bear to the attraction in 1843. The bear cost £1,000 and had the special enclosure built for it. Photo: Richard Beecham
4. Going bananas
Visitors were said to be able to feed bananas to the bear when it climbed up a tree inside the pit. Photo: Richard Beecham
5. Take a look inside
According to historian Janet Douglas, the zoological gardens managed to stay open for as long as they did due to hosting numerous galas and events to prop up finances. Leeds Horticultural and Floral Society had their annual shows there, while Leeds Archers Society would hold a "Grand County Archery Fete" for two years running. This photograph shows the bottom of one of the tower turrets, with what appears to be evidence of a spiral staircase that was removed. Photo: Richard Beecham
6. Downward spiral
From its opening, the park was beset with low attendances. Its Sunday opening hours were limited to late afternoon and evening, in order to encourage church attendance, but Sunday was the only day off for many mill and factory workers, so the attraction struggled to entice large numbers of working-class families. It would first close in 1848. The right hand turret still includes its old spiral staircase. Photo: Richard Beecham