European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 was built in the 17th and 18th centuries As an aristocratic mansion for the Dukes of  abbe Home of wild animals and Rich past by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau it was a monastery eight centuries ago but today nothing remains of the religious origins of Woburn Abbey and its surrounding massive estate. Now it s one of Britain s major tourist attractions run by one of the richest men in the country. Part of the estate forms the Woburn wild animal kingdom and Leisure Park the largest drive through wild animal collection on the British Isles the palatial mansion known As Woburn Abbey houses portraits China and antique collections. Elsewhere on the grounds is a 40-shop Antiques Center. Woburn Abbey has been the Home of the Dukes of Bedford for More than 300 years. It began As a monastery in 1145, but the monastery was confiscated in 1538 when the Abbot Robert Hobbes was found guilty of Quot treasonable utterances Quot against the King. In 1547 it was Given to sir John Russell the future Earl of Bedford. The family moved up the line of peerage when the title of Duke was granted in 1694, created after William and Mary s parliament in 1689 proclaimed that William lord Russell had been wrongfully beheaded in 1683. The original monastery was destroyed by fire and the mansion built in the 17th and 18th centuries to replace the original building is now Home to the marquess of Tavistock the Duke of Bedford s son. The marquess was ranked the 41st richest Man in Britain on a list compiled by the sunday times Magazine in april. The Harvard. Educated stockbroker s wealth was listed at 180 million pounds about $304 million. During world War ii parts of the Abbey were converted into a temporary Ward for wounded soldiers. The Abbey began admitting tourists in 1955 when the present Duke became the first stately Homeowner to open his family estate to paying visitors. Fifteen years later he opened the Woburn wild animal kingdom on 300 acres of the 13,000-acre estate. The animal collection is an expansion of the types of animals that had already been roaming the estate. The american Bison had been there for some Hundred years. The last few Deer of the Pere David species were moved there from China in 1894. Woburn has the largest Breeding Herd in the world of this species which was once part of the Imperial Herd of China. The Pere David Deer and eight other species now wander the Abbey grounds. Elsewhere in the animal kingdom a Small Herd of zebras grazes while hippos lazily Slop about in a Muddy Pool. Regal tigers chomp on a big hunk of fresh meat seashells were used to build the Grotto. Oblivious to the cars and buses curving their Way through the Park. The monkeys on the other hand Are Quick to jump on the vehicles or note the path of the slow moving cars. Signs posted around the Park remind visitors Quot this is not a picnic area please do not get out of your  someone had obviously ignored signs that asked folks not to litter a baby Monkey was playing with a set of plastic rings that hold six packs together. A Small Leisure Park is located on the animal kingdom grounds offering free rides and carnival Type games for a Small fee. Elephant demonstrations Are held at the Leisure Park at 1 and 3 . Daily while the sea Lions and parrots perform at noon 2 and 4 . Each Day. Woburn Abbey about a mile from the animal Park is an elegant House filled with the trappings of wealth. One room is dedicated to Quot the flying Duchess Quot while 10 stripes Magazine August 8, 1991