London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

London Zoo, in the north east corner of Regent's Park in London, is the oldest zoo in England and opened in 1828. In fact, it is the world's oldest scientific zoo. The zoo later opened to the general public in 1847.

The larger animals such as elephants and rhinos moved to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire in 2001.

The present zoo includes an aquarium, an insect house, a reptile house and children's zoo.

History

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) was established by Sir Stamford Raffles of Singapore fame and Sir Humphry Davy, the inventor of the Davy Lamp in 1826.

The first animals at the zoo were transferred from the royal menagerie at the Tower of London and also included Arabian oryx, greater kudus, orangutan and the now extinct quagga and thylacine.

Faced with financial problems by the 1980s, the zoo was saved from closure by public donations and restorations to the animal enclosures could take place.

London Zoo, Regent's Park. — London Zoo was created in the 19th century

Animals

ZSL London Zoo houses many species of amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles.

The mammal collection includes Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers, gorillas, monkeys, pygmy hippos, warthogs and zebras.

The three separate buildings that make up the aquarium have both fresh- and saltwater species of fish.

The distinctive Reptile House dates from 1927. It has an exotic collection of chameleons, crocodiles, frogs, lizards, and snakes from around the world. Opened in 2009, the Giants of the Galápagos is home to several Galápagos giant tortoises. Sir David Attenborough opened The Attenborough Komodo Dragon House in 2004 and presently contains a specimen brought from Chester Zoo.

Animal Adventure is the children's zoo and has animals most popular with kids. Here young visitors can see various domestic animals, such as alpacas, donkeys, goats and llamas, as well as rarer aardvarks, crested porcupines, meerkats, prairie dogs and yellow mongooses.

The Millennium Conservation Centre displays the B.U.G.S (Biodiversity Underpinning Global Survival) collection of invertebrates - ants, crickets, frogs, jellyfish, locusts, rats, and spiders etc.

Penguin Beach is England's largest penguin pool complete with underwater viewing areas. Feeding times are massively popular and the facility also breeds Humboldt penguins and other species.

The Snowdon Aviary which opened in 1964 is another distinctive building and has a diverse collection of birds. The newer Blackburn Pavilion has tropical birds such as ibis, kookaburras, macaws and toucans.

Butterfly Paradise is home to many different species of butterfly and moth and the plants necessary to support them.

Statue of Guy the Gorilla. — Statue of Guy the Gorilla in Barclay Court

Famous Animals

Some famous animals that have made their home in London Zoo and won the affection of the public include Guy the Gorilla, a statue of whom is in the grounds.

Dumbo the Elephant arrived in the 1950s and was the first elephant to be transported by airplane.

Chi Chi was a Giant Panda at the zoo in the 1960s.

Tropical fish in the zoo's aquarium. — Tropical fish in the zoo's aquarium

The Grounds

The original grounds of the zoo were designed by architect Decimus Burton of London Colosseum and Marble Arch fame.

The Zoo has three recommended routes for seeing the animals and the grounds. These are the Orange Route, the Pink Route and the Blue Route.

The shop stocks a variety of accessories, homeware, soft toys, games, stationary and other items, the sale of which helps to fund the zoo and its activities.

King Vultures live in found in Central and South America. — King Vultures are found naturally in Central and South America

Further Information & Access - how to get to London Zoo

Regent's Park
London
NW1 4RY
Tel: 0370 333 1181
www: www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

Opening times: in general the zoo is open from 10 am to 6 pm in the summer months, from 10 am to 5 pm in the autumn and 10 am to 4 pm in winter. Check the official website for up-to-date opening times.

The nearest tube station is Morning Crescent on the Northern Line (20 minutes on foot).

Camden Road on the North London Line is also a 20-minute walk from the zoo. From Euston Station, London Zoo is a 30 minute walk. It is also a similar distance on foot from Regent's Street, Warren Street and Euston Square tube stations.

Visitors can walk along the Regent's Canal from both Camden Market to the east or Little Venice to the west.

London bus 274 stops on Regent's Park Road opposite the entrance. The Edinboro Castle is a good London pub nearby.