6. London Zoo was opened in London in 1828,
and was originally intended to be used as a
collection for scientific study. It was opened
to the public in 1847.
7. It is the world's oldest
scientific zoo. Today it houses
a collection of 755 species of
animals, with 15104 individuals,
making it one of the largest
collections in the United
Kingdom.
8. London Zoo is situated at theLondon Zoo is situated at the
northern edge of Regent's Park (thenorthern edge of Regent's Park (the
Regent's Canal runs through it).Regent's Canal runs through it).
9. The Blackburn Pavilion opened to the public in 2008
as a revamp of the old Bird House. Recreating both
rainforest and cloud forest environments the pavilion
holds more than 50 different species of bird.
Hummingbird
Toucan
Lovebird
10. The African Bird Safari opened in Easter 2005 as a
redevelopment of the Stork and Ostrich House. It is
built around a walk-through design 51 m long and
10 m high, incorporating a bridge over a stream and
high trees.
Abdim's stork Roller
Von der Decken’s hornbills Abdim's stork
11. There has been an aquarium at the
Zoo since 1853 and was the first
aquarium to be established in the
world. The exhibit is separated into
three halls, each home to different
types of fish.
12. The first hall contains species involved in
various conservation projects, such as
captive-breeding programmes and other
ZSL-based initiatives.
European eel
Spiny starfish
Searhorse
13. The second hall is a coral reef
habitat with tropical species from
across the globe
Copperband butterflyfish
Clownfish
14. The third hall contains
Amazon fish including
electric eels, lungfish and
stingray.
15. The Butterfly Paradise exhibit launched in 2006, holds
butterfly and moth species from several major regions.
The species of flora have been selected to provide
nectar and breeding areas for the animals.
16. The Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo is based around two
sections, the Pet Care Centre and the Paddock which
both provides a hands-on experience aimed at children.
The Pet Care Centre offers advice on keeping and
caring for your pets and animals on display.
17. Gorilla Kingdom is a flagship 6,000-square-metre exhibit. It
replaces old monkey enclosures with a giant moated island and
indoor gym that is home to a group of western lowland gorillas.
There are currently four gorillas in the enclosure: Bobby, a 23-
year-old male; Zaire, a 32-year-old female, Effie, a 14-year-old
female and Mjukuu, a 9-year-old female.
Colobus
Diana monkeys
Gorilla Bobby
18. Meet The Monkeys is a 1,500-square-metre. The exhibit is open,
with no roof, and no boundaries between the public and animals.
Designed to recreate the Bolivian Rainforest, it holds black-capped
squirrel monkeys.
19. When the Mappin Terraces opened in 1913, it was the
first time that members of the public could see animals
in an arctic environment. In the past it has been home
to Snow Leopards, Ibex, Polar bears and other
mountain creatures.
20. The Reptile House opened in 1927. It is currently home
to various reptiles including lizards, tortoises, crocodiles
and snakes, adjacent to the house is the Komodo Dragon
house.
Raja, Komodo dragon
21. Built around the Casson Pavilion, originally the old
Elephant and Rhino House, Zoo World is now home to
bearded pigs, bactrian camels and also provides a winter
home for the pygmy hippos.
22. Throughout its history the Zoo has had many well-
known residents.
The Zoo was home to the only living quagga ever
to be photographed, before the species became
extinct in the wild due to hunting in southern
Africa in about 1870.
23. Guy, a western lowland gorilla, arrived at the Zoo on
Guy Fawkes Night (hence the name) 1947 from Paris
Zoo, and lived at the Zoo until his death in 1978. Over
his 32-year life he became one of the Zoos best-loved
residents.
24. In 2000,the Burmese python scene from the 2001 film
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was filmed at the
Zoo's Reptile House. In the film the inhabitant of the tank
is a Burmese python, however in reality it is home to a
black mamba. A plaque beside the enclosure commemorates
the event.
Many films and television programmes have made use
of London Zoo as a film set.
25. Today there are many thousands of exotic
animals at London Zoo.
