she preferred a large lizard as a plaything
Joan Beauchamp Procter, Komodo Dragons and the Zoological Society of London
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Baby crocodiles, boa constrictors, Komodo dragons and various other cold-blooded animals — these were Joan Beauchamp Procter’s most beloved friends.
As a child growing up in turn-of-the-century London, Joan often spent days and weeks confined to her bed with intestinal illness. But her science-loving family kept a menagerie of animals as pets, and these different creatures provided great comfort to young Joan. “She preferred a large green Dalmatian lizard as a plaything instead of dolls,” one family friend noted.
When Joan would feel well enough to attend school with other girls, she insisted on bringing her reptilian pets to class — once even walking into mathematics lesson with a baby crocodile leashed to her wrist (which didn’t go over so well with the math teacher).
Joan excelled in science and math; but given her chronic illness, she had to turn down an acceptance from Cambridge and continue her studies at home. So instead, she turned London’s numerous scientific societies and institutions into her training ground. In 1917, when she was just 20 years old, Joan began working at the British Museum, impressing her colleagues with her near-encyclopedic knowledge of reptiles.
In 1923, she personally designed plans for a reptile house renovation at the Zoological Society of London, imploring the men there to upgrade what she called “the pest house.” The ZSL hired her on the spot, making Joan its first-ever female curator — and, at just 26 years old, she was also one of its youngest-ever.
Joan envisioned a reptile house that was pleasant for both cold-blooded inhabitants and warm-blooded visitors alike. She installed “vita glass” for the animal exhibits and switched to ultraviolet light. She also created a map for foot traffic, so people could circulate amongst the displays without overcrowding the space or spooking the animals.
“She had the best possible architectural and technical advice and we all assisted her in every way we could,” the society’s secretary said. “But from the beginning to the end, it was her house.”
In 1927, the refabbed reptile house finally reopened, to great acclaim and city-wide fanfare. Later that year, Joan brought two Komodo dragons, American crocodiles and giant tortoises to exhibit. One of the Komodo dragons, Sumbawa, became Joan’s constant companion, following her about the zoo as she checked on the other animals. Joan insisted that with the right treatment and training, Komodo dragons like Sumbawa could become “as tame as dogs and even … to show affection.” She brought her scaly friend to meetings and luncheons “to refute statements which have been made to the effect that human beings cannot make friends with this lizard.”
As one reporter in The Sun put it: “St. George slew the dragon. Joan Procter preferred to tame them.”
But even with her celebrated career and active life at the zoo, Joan still suffered at home. She spent her sick days propped up in bed, corresponding with herpetologists around the world and writing to them in multiple languages. When she returned to the zoo after a bout of illness, she often relied upon a motorized wheelchair to tour the exhibits (with Sumbawa still at her side).
In 1928, Joan’s health took its final turn for the worse. She retired from her position as reptile house curator at the age of 29. Three years later, she died from cancer.
More on 🦎:
Reptile Houses new and old: Commemorating Joan Procter, The Zoological Society of London
Tour of London Zoo, its modernist architecture and more, Wallpaper
Joan B. Proctor, Specialist in Reptilia and Batrachia for London Natural History Museum, The New York Times
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, by Patricia Valdez
HERpers : Women and herpetology, The Zoological Society of London
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