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.
A short time later, Cardigan Road and dozens of new houses were build directly on top of the site.
![The site would reopen as the "Royal Gardens" in 1848, but would close for good 10 years later, giving way for housing and road developments in the area. Over the following century, the bear pit would crumble into disrepair, leading to this sad photograph taken in 1955, which shows the castle-like structure almost completely destroyed. (By kind permission of Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNlNWViNjU5LWU4OGItNDdjZC04NzMxLTQwODc5YTgwZjNiOTozY2M2ZThjYS02YzAyLTRjZGYtYjZmOC1hN2JiNzBjM2M5NGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Dark days
The site would reopen as the "Royal Gardens" in 1848, but would close for good 10 years later, giving way for housing and road developments in the area. Over the following century, the bear pit would crumble into disrepair, leading to this sad photograph taken in 1955, which shows the castle-like structure almost completely destroyed. (By kind permission of Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net) Photo: Leodis
![However, following a big local effort, the structure was restored in 1968, leading to the proud monument we all recognise today.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI4MTM2NDE5LTY2YmItNDJlOS1hMTdjLWMyYWY0MmZhM2M1YjozYWY2Njc1Ny00N2M4LTQ3YjAtYWQyNy0zNGQyOTA0MTI5MDE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Mighty structure
However, following a big local effort, the structure was restored in 1968, leading to the proud monument we all recognise today. Photo: Richard Beecham