London Zoo

ZSL was established by Sir Stamford Raffles and Sir Humphrey Davy in 1826, who obtained the land for the Zoo and saw the plans before Raffles died of apoplexy (what would now be called a stroke) later that year on the 5th of July – his birthday. After his death the third Marquis of Lansdowne took over the project and supervised the building of the first animal houses. The Zoo opened in April 1828 to fellows of the Society, providing access to species such as Arabian oryx, greater kudus, orangutan and the now extinct quagga & thylacine. The Society was granted a Royal Charter in 1829 by King George IV, and in 1847 the Zoo opened to the public to aid funding. It was believed that tropical animals could not survive outside in London's cold weather and so they were all kept indoors until 1902, when Dr Peter Chalmers Mitchell was appointed secretary of the Society. He set about a major reorganisation of the buildings and enclosures of the Zoo, bringing many of the animals out into the open, where many thrived. This was an idea inspired by Hamburg Zoo, and led to newer designs to many of the buildings. Mitchell also envisaged a new 600-acre (240 ha) park to the north of London, and in 1926 Hall Farm, near to Whipsnade village, was bought. In 1931 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park opened, becoming the world's first open zoological park. The first woman to be a curator at the London Zoo was Evelyn Cheesman. In 1962, 'Caroline', an Arabian oryx, was lent to Phoenix Zoo, Arizona in the world's first international co-operative breeding programme. Today the Zoo participates in breeding programmes for over 130 species. At the beginning of the 1990s, the Zoo had almost 7,000 animals; the nearest any other collection came to in Britain was Chester Zoo, with just under 3,500 animals. Many of the species in London Zoo could not be seen anywhere else in the country, such as the wombat, Tasmanian devil or long-nosed potoroo. Although this vast collection was part of the Zoo's appeal, it may also have been one of the main causes of its financial problems. This contributed to the Zoo being faced with closure in the 1980s. Due to the public change of attitude to animals kept in captivity and unsuitably cramped space, the Zoo also suffered dwindling visitor numbers. However, when it was announced that London Zoo would close in 1991, a swell of public support in visitors and donations allowed the Zoo to continue its work, attempt to balance its books, and take on the huge task of restoring its buildings and creating environments more suitable for animal behaviour in the late 20th century. One benefit of the 'swell of public support' was the development of volunteer staff. Employed by both Education and Animal care, these volunteers give one day a week to assist the running of London Zoo and can be recognised by their red sweaters.


Last visted 2012


London Zoo
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4RY
United Kingdom

Phone nr.: 0844 225 1826
E-mail cp@zsl.org


 

Opened minimum 10 am - 4 pm


Entrance fee:
 

• Adult 31,- £
• Child 21,70 £
• Seniors over 60 27,90 £

Annual card*
 

• Adult 100,63 £
• Child 87,50 £
• Familly 1/2** 167,50 £/248,75 £

* Valid for the annual entrance to London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo
** Familly cards are valid for one ore two adults and up to 5 kids

 

For kids there is a petting area and several playgrounds

After have been paying the entrance fee we first lokk at the gorilla and several monkey species, like the Kikuyu Black & White Colobus. In this corner we also finde som birds of prey, like the beautyfull King Vultur. Then going under the Outer Circle we have on the left side Out of Africa. Home for the Malaysian tapir, the Okapi, Giraffes and Zebras, there neighbours are some African pics and the African Wild Dog. Across the river we finde Snowdons Aviary and a lot of birds. Back again at the Out of Africa area, we turn right and see the Clore Rainforest Lookout, home for especially South American animals like the tamarins and the Tamandu. In the basement we finde the nocturual zoo with slender loris among others. Passing the Meerkats and Otters we turn right and go under the Outer Circle again. Here we first meet the Penguins and then we have a butterfly house. Across we finde parrots and then the Flamingos and pelicans. Now we have reached the area for big cats, like the tiger and the lion, cureously we also finde the Spider Monkeys here. Behinde it we find the Bugs home, where you learn alot about the creepy crwaly world.  Behinde it we have a small South American world, with Giant anteaters and Squirrel monkeys. Now we have reached the Blackburn Pavilion, home for the zoos birds, here you find Hummingbirds, Turacos and the Socorro Dove among others. Then we look at the Animal Adventure area, where you meet Aardvarks, Red Pandas and animals you can pet. Here you also find the Lubetkin Pool for Penguins, where form and art is more important the animals it was built for (Its not home for the penguins animore). From far away we all ready have spottet the old pachyderm house, home for the Pygmy hippos, Bactrian camels and Bearded pigs. Then its time to look at African birds, like the Hammerkop and different species of Storcks. Now we are comming to the big houses, the first for Reptiles - behinde it we have Komodo Dragons, and the second is the Aquarium. Behinde the aquarium we finde the Australian area wirh Kangaroos.

DE: Dies ist der grösste zoo im Vereinten Königsreich under 3. auf diesem Planet, dabei sogar der erste der Wissenschaftlich gegründet wurde durch die Royal Zoological Society - die immer noch den Zoo leitet. Es hat ein grosses Aquarium, ein grosses Terrarium und ein interessantes Haus für Kleiner Tiere wie die Seidenäffchen und Nachttiere. Selten heiten sind Tiere wie das Bartschwein und das Okapi

DK: Dette er den største have i det forenede kongerige og verdens 3. ældste på denne planet. Fakitisk endda den første der blev grundlagt på videnskabelig basis gennem the Royal Zoological Society - som stadigvæk er ansvarlig for haven. Du finder er stort akvarium, et stort terarium og et interessant hus for mindre dyr som silkeaber og natdyr. Af sjældenheder skal nævnes skægsvinet og okapien