Jan Griffier the Elder (1652-1718) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who was active in England, where he was admitted to the London Company of Painter-Stainers in 1677.

This immense painting was probably commissioned by the artist by Sir John Trevelyan of Nettlecombe Court, Somerset, and it remained in the Great Hall at Nettlecombe for almost 300 years.

The subject was an unusual choice for an English gentleman's home, where hunting scenes were more familiar, although many of the prominent animals are native English species. It is likely that Griffier studied exotic animals in private menageries and aviaries. He also borrowed from the designs of other artists, such as Francis Barlow.