George Mottershead, the Zoo__s visionary founder, died peacefully at the age of 84. A memorial service was held at Chester Cathedral.Tribute to Mr G. S. Mottershead in Chester Zoo News May 1978_ÐWe very much regret to announce that George Mottershead OBE M.Sc., our Directory-Secretary, founder of Chester Zoo and a pioneer of zoos without bars, died at his home on Friday, 5th May, 1978__Mr Mottershead was a great character and will be missed by all at the zoo and in zoos around the world. From 1961 __ 1963 inclusive he was President of the International Union of Zoo Directors__In his childhood he first became interested in mammals when he rescued lizards and snakes that emerged from boxes of exotic blooms delivered to his father, a Cheshire nurseryman. From then on he cherished a dream of creating a zoo. When his dream materialised it was to be a zoo without bars__Mr Mottershead was dedicated to his work and his love and care for the creatures in his charge was well-known throughout the zoo world. The zoo will not be the same without him._