In the Saint-Jean Charmilles neighborhood, a zoo once existed between 1935 and 1940, where a group of monkeys escaped in July 1935, causing chaos in the area. The zoo eventually closed due to financial difficulties, and its animals were sold. One elephant was bought by farmers for 800 francs, hoping to use it as a cheaper alternative to a tractor, but it turned out to be too lazy and was eventually sold to the Knie circus.