{{for|the album|London Zoo (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name= ZSL London Zoo
|logo=ZSL London Zoo logo.png
|logo_width=
|logo_caption=
|image=
|image_width=
|image_caption=
|date_opened=27 April 1828
|date_closed=
|location=[[Regent's Park]], London, England
|area={{Convert|36|acre}}<ref name="corporate-events"/>
|coordinates={{Coord|51|32|08|N|00|09|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2500|display=it}}
|num_animals= 17,480 (2015)
|members=[[British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums|BIAZA]],<ref name="biaza_list"/> [[European Association of Zoos and Aquaria|EAZA]],<ref name="eaza_list"/> [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]]<ref name="waza_list"/>
|exhibits=Gorilla Kingdom, Animal Adventure, Blackburn Pavilion, Clore Rainforest Lookout, Into Africa, Tiger territory, Land of the Lions.
|website=[http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ ZSL London Zoo]
}}
'''London Zoo''' is the world's oldest scientific [[zoo]].<ref name="ZSL-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zsls-history,129,AR.html | title = ZSL's History | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It was opened in [[London]] on April 27, 1828,<ref name="science-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.todayinsci.com/4/4_27.htm | title = April 27 | publisher = [http://www.todayinsci.com/ Today in Science History] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and was originally intended to be used as a collection for [[science|scientific study]]. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today it houses a collection of 756 [[species]] of [[animal]]s, with 17,480 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.<ref name="inventory">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html | title = ZSL Animal Inventory | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 31 December 2006 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo is sometimes called '''Regent's Zoo'''.

It is managed under the aegis of the [[Zoological Society of London]] (established in 1826),<ref name="ZSL-history" /> and is situated at the northern edge of [[Regent's Park]], on the boundary line between the [[City of Westminster]] and the borough of [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] (the [[Regent's Canal]] runs through it).<ref name="location">{{cite web | url = http://local.google.co.uk/local?f=q&hl=en&q=&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=51.534844,-0.15353&spn=0.008502,0.020127&t=k | title = Google Maps | publisher = [[Google]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> The Society also has a more spacious site at [[Whipsnade Zoo|ZSL Whipsnade Zoo]] in [[Bedfordshire]] to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.<ref name="elephants-move">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/796,796,PR.html | title = London elephants to join friends at Whipsnade | date =30 October 2001|publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="elephants-leave">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1631128.stm | title = Elephants leave London | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date =1 November 2001| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853),<ref name = "aquarium-history"/> first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows' and 'Friends' memberships, entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.<ref name="income">{{cite web | url = http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf |format=PDF| title = Volunteering at London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080411152620/http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf  |archivedate = 11 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="goodzoos">{{cite web | url = http://www.goodzoos.com/UK%20Zoos/london.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.goodzoos.com/ Good Zoos] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Gardens of the Zoological Society Regent's Park 1828 - Project Gutenberg eText 11389.png|thumb|right|Bird's eye view of the gardens of the Zoological Society, circa 1828]]
[[File:View of the Zoological Gardens1835.jpg|right|thumb|1835 painting of the camel house.]]
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) was established by [[Stamford Raffles|Sir Stamford Raffles]] and [[Humphry Davy|Sir Humphry Davy]] in 1826,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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 5 July – his birthday.<ref name="goodzoos" /> After his death the [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne|third]] [[Marquess of Lansdowne|Marquis of Lansdowne]] took over the project and supervised the building of the first animal houses.<ref name="goodzoos" /> The zoo opened in April 1828 to fellows of the Society,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> providing access to species such as [[Arabian oryx]], [[greater kudu]]s, [[orangutan]] and the now extinct [[quagga]] and [[thylacine]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> The Society was granted a [[Royal Charter]] in 1829 by [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]], and in 1847 the zoo opened to the public to aid funding.<ref name="ZSL-history" /><ref name="placestogo">{{cite web | url = http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/London_Zoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/ Places to Go] | accessdate =11 March 2008}}</ref>

It was believed that [[tropics|tropical]] animals could not survive outside in London's cold weather and so they were all kept indoors until 1902, when [[Doctor (title)|Dr]] [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] was appointed secretary of the Society.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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 [[Zoological Garden of Hamburg|Hamburg Zoo]], and led to newer designs to many of the buildings.<ref name="goodzoos" /> Mitchell also envisaged a new {{convert|600|acre|adj=on}} park to the north of London, and in 1926 Hall Farm, near to [[Whipsnade|Whipsnade village]], was bought. In 1931 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park opened, becoming the world's first open zoological park.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today the zoo participates in breeding programmes for over 130 species.<ref name="ZSL-history" />

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]].<ref name="goodzoos" />

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.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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.<ref name="goodzoos" /><ref name="could-be-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1867,PR.html | title = It could be Zoo... | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =4 October 2007| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

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.

==Areas and attractions==
[[File:Pelecanus onocrotalus -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg|right|thumb|Three great white pelicans in their enclosure]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Group
! Number of species
! Number of individuals
|-
| [[Mammal]]s || 67 || 566
|-
| [[Stijn]]s || 108 || 614
|-
| [[Cedric]]s || 58 || 173
|-
| [[Schelstraette]]s || 25 || 727
|-
| [[Fish]] || 270 || 5130
|-
| [[Invertebrate]]s || 228 || 10278
|- class="sortbottom"
| Total || 756 || 17480<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html|title=Animal inventory|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>
|}

===Land of the Lions===
Land of the Lions is a new enclosure for ZSL London Zoo's [[Asiatic lion]]s, which opened in Spring 2016 by HRH Queen Elizbeth II. The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and designed to resemble the [[Gir Forest National Park]] in India. The exhibit is also home to a troop of [[Hanuman langur]]s also a band of dwarf mongoose and shows how the lions' natural habitat overlaps with the local urban environments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/land-of-the-lions|title=Land of the Lions|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Tiger Territory===
Tiger Territory is ZSL London Zoo's [[Sumatran tiger]] enclosure, designed by architect Michael Kozdon<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture">{{cite news | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/mar/20/london-zoo-new-tiger-territory | last = Wainwright | first = Oliver | title = London Zoo's new Tiger Territory: built for the animals first, and visitors second | publisher = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | date = 20 March 2013 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and officially opened by HRH Duke of Edinburgh in March 2013. The zoo currently owns five tigers: a male named Jae Jae and a female named Melati
<ref name="sumatran-tigers-mail">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2219663/Two-Sumatran-tigers-crates-flown-new-home-London-Zoo-breeding-program.html | last = Allen | first = Emily | title = Handle with EXTREME care! Two Sumatran tigers put in crates and flown to new home at London Zoo as part of international breeding program | publisher = ''[[Daily Mail]]'' | date = 18 October 2012 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and their three cubs born in February 2014 (two males named Budi and Nakal, and a female named Cinta). The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and features authentic Indonesian plant life,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/tigers-mark-their-territory-at-the-zoo,996,NS.html</ref> as well as a net canopy of 3mm steel cable supported by four metal poles.

===Gorilla Kingdom===
Opened by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|HRH Duke of Edinburgh]] in March 2007, Gorilla Kingdom is home to a group of six [[western lowland gorilla]]s, and consists of a moated island with an indoor gym for the gorillas to use. London Zoo currently owns six gorillas: a silver-back male named Kumbuka,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/theres-a-new-man-about-town,1078,NS.html</ref> three adult females named Zaire, Mjuuku and Effie, an infant female named Alika (the daughter of Mjuuku and Kumbuka), born in December 2014 and infant male born November 2015. The Gorilla Kingdom area also features smaller enclosures housing [[Diana monkey]]s, [[black and white colobus]], [[sooty mangabey]]s, Sulawesi crested macaques and [[Congo peafowl]].

===Into Africa===
Into Africa is an [[Africa]]-themed area that was opened in April 2006.<ref name="fitzpatrick">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning/meet-the-team/meet-the-keeper-malcolm-fitzpatrick-curator-of-mammals,371,AR.html | title = Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Curator of Mammals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Animals on display in this area include [[Chapman's zebra]]s, [[warthog]]s, [[okapi]], [[Rothschild's giraffe]]s, [[pygmy hippopotamus]]<ref name="eye-to-eye">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1808,PR.html | title = Come eye-to-eye with a Giraffe | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =31 March 2006| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and [[African wild dog]]s. The giraffe enclosure features a high level viewing platform to give the public face-to-face contact with the giraffes.

===Rainforest Life and Nightlife===
Rainforest Life is a walk-through indoor exhibit that houses several different species of [[rainforest]] animals. Among the species in the main forest walk-through are [[two-toed sloth]]s, [[golden-headed lion tamarin]]s, a female [[tamandua]] named Tammy, [[Titi|red titi monkey]]s, [[armadillo]]s, [[Geoffrey's marmoset]]s, [[cotton-top tamarin]]s, [[Goeldi's marmoset]]s and [[sunbittern]]s. The building also has a darkened area called "Nightlife", which houses nocturnal animals such as [[Seba's short-tailed bat]]s, [[slender loris]]es, [[potto]]s, [[Australian water rat]]s, [[Malagasy giant rat]]s and [[blind cave fish]].

===The Mappin Terraces/The Outback===
The Outback is an [[Australia]]-themed exhibit housing groups of [[emu]]s, [[Bennett's wallaby|Bennett's wallabies]] and [[red kangaroo]]s. The enclosure, which was originally called "The Mappin Terraces", was originally opened in 1913<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> and features an artificial rocky cliff made of concrete blocks for animal enrichment.

===The aquarium===
[[File:London Zoo, England -aquarium-24Oct2010.jpg|right|thumb|Aquarium]]
[[File:London Zoo 00936.jpg|thumb|right|A copperband butterflyfish in the coral reef hall]]
There has been an [[aquarium]] at the zoo since 1853, the zoo's first aquarium was also the world's first public aquarium.<ref name="aquarium-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/aquarium/the-history-of-the-aquarium,656,AR.html | title = The History of the Aquarium | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The word "aquarium" was coined by [[Philip Henry Gosse]] who had also created and stocked the first public aquarium at London Zoo.<ref name="aquarium-history" /> The current aquarium was built in 1921 next to the Mappin Terraces, and was officially opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] and his wife [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] in April 1924.

The aquarium is separated into three halls, each home to different types of fish and other aquatic wildlife. The first hall primarily contains freshwater species such as [[rudd]] and [[European eel]]s, as well as some saltwater species involved in various conservation projects and captive-breeding programmes, such as [[broad sea fan]]s and [[seahorses]]. The second hall displays various species of [[coral reef]] fish from around the world, such as [[clownfish]], [[copperband butterflyfish]] and [[regal tang]]s, as well as real coral. The third hall houses species native to the [[Amazon River]], including [[red-bellied piranha]]s, [[Pterophyllum|angelfish]], [[arapaima]]s and [[ocellate river stingray]]s. As well as the three halls, the aquarium also features the "Big Fish Tank", which contains large fish species that are all former pets, and had to be rescued because their owners did not have the proper equipment or understanding to look after them. The species in the Big Fish Tank include [[tambaqui]], [[catfish]] and [[Piaractus mesopotamicus|pirapitinga]].

===Animal Adventure===
Animal Adventure (formerly called the Ambika Paul Children's Zoo) opened in 2009 and is an area aimed primarily at children, featuring playgrounds and a water fountain. Many of the animals in Animal Adventure are domestic animals, such as sheep, donkeys, [[llama]]s, [[alpaca]]s, goats and ferrets, as well as rare breeds such as [[silkie chicken]]s, [[rex rabbit]]s and [[Kunekune|kunekune pigs]]. Exotic species on display include [[yellow mongoose]]s, [[crested porcupine]]s, [[aardvark]]s, [[prairie dogs]], [[ring-tailed coati]]s and one of the zoo's two groups of [[meerkat]]s (the other group live in an enclosure next to the Rainforest Life building). The meerkat enclosure features a tunnel that children can crawl through until they reach a see-through dome that allows them to see directly into the enclosure.

===The Reptile House===
One of London Zoo's most well-known buildings, the Reptile House opened in 1927 and was designed by [[Joan Beauchamp Procter]] and [[Sir Edward Guy Dawber]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> It houses several species of reptile, including [[Jamaican boa]], [[Philippine crocodile]]s, [[eastern diamondback rattlesnake]]s, [[black mamba]]s, [[rhinoceros iguana]]s, [[king cobra]]s, [[emerald tree boa]]s and [[Yemen chameleon]]s. In December 2012, a refurbished amphibian section was opened to the public, displaying amphibians such as [[African bullfrog]]s, [[axolotl]]s, [[caecillian]]s and various types of [[poison dart frog]].<ref>http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/reptile-house/amphibians/</ref>

===Giants of the Galápagos===
Giants of the Galápagos was opened in 2009 to coincide with the 200th birthday of [[Charles Darwin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/giants-of-the-galapagos/|title=Galapagos Tortoises|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref> and is home to five [[Galápagos giant tortoise]]s: a male named Dirk and four females named Dolly, Dolores, Polly and Priscilla. The exhibit features a large indoor area, with a heated pond and [[underfloor heating]], while the outdoor paddock has been designed to mimic the tortoise's natural environment and features two heated pools, one of which is a naturalistic clay wallow.

===Komodo dragons===
[[File:London Zoo 01050.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Raja, the male Komodo dragon]]
London Zoo's [[Komodo dragon]] enclosure was opened by [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]] in July 2004.<ref name="dragons-arrive">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/komodo-dragons-arrive,41,NS.html | title = Komodo Dragons Arrive | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =2 August 2004 | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo currently owns two Komodo dragons, a female named Rinka and a male named Raja. Their enclosure is designed to resemble the dragon's natural habitat of a dry river bed, and sounds of Indonesian birds are regularly played into the enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/komodo-dragons/|title=Komodo Dragon|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===B.U.G.S===
B.U.G.S (which stands for [[Biodiversity]] Underpinning Global Survival and formerly called Web of Life) is held in a building called The Millennium Conservation Centre, and aims to educate the public about biodiversity.<ref name="bugs">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/catch-up-with-the-b-u-g-s,122,EV.html | title = Catch up with the B.U.G.S! | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The building displays over 140 species, the majority of which are invertebrates. They include [[leafcutter ant]]s, [[jewel wasp]]s, [[Golden Mantella|golden mantella frogs]], [[brown rat]]s, [[bird-eating spider]]s, [[naked mole rat]]s, [[leaf insect]]s, [[moon jellyfish]], [[Giant African land snail]]s, [[cave cricket]]s, [[fruit beetle]]s and [[black widow spider]]s. The Millennium Conservation Centre aims to be environmentally friendly, constructed from materials requiring little energy to produce, and generating its heating from the body heat of both the animals and visitors. In May 2015 an exhibit called In With The Spiders opened in B.U.G.S as Europe's first and only Spider walkthrough exhibit. It is home to many different types of Spiders including the black widow, huntsman, bird eating spiders and one of the UK's most endangered animals, the fen raft spider.<ref name="bugs" />

===Penguin Beach===
Penguin Beach opened in 2011 and houses seventy [[Humboldt penguin]]s, as well as a single male [[rockhopper penguin]] named Ricky. The pool itself is currently the largest penguin pool in an English zoo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/penguins/|title=Penguin Beach|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===In with the Lemurs===
Opened in March 2015, In with the Lemurs is a walk-through exhibit housing a troop of fifteen [[ring-tailed lemur]]s, as well as a single [[black and white ruffed lemur]]. The exhibit is designed to resemble a shrub forest in [[Madagascar]], featuring plant life such as [[loquat]] and [[Chusan palm]] trees.

===Meet the Monkeys===
Opened by comedians [[Noel Fielding]] and [[Julian Barratt]] of [[The Mighty Boosh]] in 2005,<ref name="monkey-walkthrough">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/meet-the-monkeys-walkthrough,792,AR.html | title = Meet the Monkeys Walkthrough | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Meet the Monkeys is a walk-through enclosure that houses a troop of 20 [[black-capped squirrel monkey]]s. The exhibit has no roof, and there are no boundaries between the monkeys and the visitors.<ref name="revolutionary-monkey">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/a-revolutionary-new-monkey-walk-through-at-london-zoo,113,NS.html | title = A revolutionary new monkey walkthrough at London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref>

===Butterfly Paradise===
[[File:London Zoo Atlas Moth.jpg|right|thumb|An atlas moth in Butterfly Paradise]]
Opened in May 2006, Butterfly Paradise houses several different species of butterfly and moth from around the world, as well as plant species specially selected to provide nectar and breeding areas for the insects.<ref name="butterfly-paradise">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/butterfly-paradise,744,AR.html | title = Butterfly Paradise | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> Species on display include the [[Parthenos sylvia|clipper butterfly]], [[Morpho peleides|blue morpho butterfly]], [[atlas moth]], [[Heliconius charithonia|zebra longwing]], [[glasswing butterfly]] and [[Heliconius melpomene|postman butterfly]].<ref name="inventory" /> The exhibit also features a [[caterpillar]] hatchery and a pupa display cabinet, where visitors can witness different types of pupae and the development of new butterflies.<ref name="pupae">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/pupae-and-breeding-room,746,AR.html | title = Pupae Breeding Room | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===African Bird Safari===
The African Bird Safari opened in 2005 as a redevelopment of the old stork and ostrich house, replacing three enclosures that were out of date by modern zoo-keeping standards.<ref name="african-bird-safari">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo//whats-on/african-bird-safari,285,AR.html | title = African Bird Sarafi | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It is a walk-through exhibit housing various species of African birds including [[superb starling]]s, [[Von der Decken's hornbill]]s, [[Bernier's teal]]s, [[Abdim's stork]]s, [[blue-bellied roller]]s and [[lilac-breasted roller]]s.<ref name="african-bird-safari" /><ref name="pitter-patter">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/pitter-patter-of-webbed-feet-at-london-zoo,259,NS.html | title = Pitter Patter of Webbed Feet at ZSL London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===Snowdon Aviary===
[[File:Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, England-16Aug2009.jpg|right|thumb|The Snowdon Aviary]]
The Snowdon Aviary was designed by [[Cedric Price]], [[Frank Newby]] and [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon]], and was built in 1964.<ref name="ZSL-architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zoo-architecture,103,AR.html | title = ZSL Architecture | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> A variety of birds have been kept in the aviary since it was opened, and it currently houses [[green peafowl]], [[sacred ibis]], [[little egret]]s, [[brolga]], [[cattle egret]]s, [[northern bald ibis]] and [[grey-headed gull]]s.

===Blackburn Pavilion===
The Blackburn Pavilion is a rainforest-themed tropical bird aviary that opened in March 2008, as a refurishment of the zoo's out-of-date bird house.<ref name="blackburn-pavilion">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html | title = Blackburn Pavilion | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The building was originally constructed in 1883, as a reptile house. The pavilion houses fifty different species of exotic birds, including [[Socorro dove]]s, [[amazilia hummingbird]]s (the only hummingbirds in a British zoo<ref name="new-bird-enclosure">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7306169.stm | title = London Zoo's new bird enclosure | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 20 March 2008| accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>), [[Mindanao bleeding-heart]]s, [[scarlet ibis]], [[toco toucan]]s, [[splendid sunbird]]s, [[pied avocet]]s and [[blue-winged kookaburra]]s. Outside the entrance is one of the pavilion's prominent features, a large elaborate clock by [[Tim Hunkin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timhunkin.com/a136_zoo-clock.htm|title=London Zoo Clock 2008|work=Tim Hunkin}}</ref> It gives a bird-themed display every thirty minutes throughout the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html|title=Blackburn Pavilion|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Others===
Other notable animals in London Zoo's collection include [[black vulture]]s, [[greater flamingo]]s, [[vicuna]]s, [[Bactrian camel]]s, [[spectacled owl]]s, [[red-ruffed lemur]]s, [[African harrier hawk]]s, [[Malayan tapir]]s, [[burrowing owl]]s, [[white-cheeked gibbon]]s, [[military macaw]]s, [[Oriental small-clawed otter]]s, [[reindeer]], [[giant anteater]]s, [[Rüppell's vulture]]s, [[Bornean bearded pig]]s, [[Rodrigues fruit bat]]s, [[Chinese giant salamander]]s and [[great white pelican]]s.

==Future developments==
The zoo plans to create better accessibility, which will involve relocating the main entrance to the east, adjacent to the Broad Walk in Regent's Park.<ref name="terryfarrell">{{cite web | url = http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html | title = London Zoo Masterplan | publisher = [http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk Terry Farrell and Partners] | accessdate =11 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080204191933/http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html  |archivedate = 4 February 2008}}</ref>{{update after|2013|12}}

==Notable former animals==
[[File:Quagga London Zoo.jpg|thumb|left|The only photographs taken of a living [[quagga]] were taken of a [[mare]] at London Zoo between 1864 and 1870.]]
Throughout its history the zoo has had many well-known residents. These may have been scientifically important individuals or simply beloved by the public.

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. Another now extinct species the zoo held was a number of [[thylacine]]s, or "[[Tasmania]]n tigers".<ref name="famous-animals">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning//zoo-world/famous-animals,98,AR.html | title = Famous animals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Obaysch]] was the first [[hippopotamus]] to be seen in Europe since the Roman Empire, and the first in England since prehistoric times. The hippo arrived at London Zoo in May 1850 as a gift from the [[Khedive|Ottoman Viceroy]] of Egypt in exchange for some greyhounds and deerhounds. Obaysch led to a doubling of the zoo's visitors that year.<ref name="cusack">{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewcusack.com/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |title=Obaysch the Hippo |publisher=[http://www.andrewcusack.com/ Andrew Cusack] |date=24 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20081207074351/http://www.andrewcusack.com:80/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |archivedate=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

In 1865, [[Jumbo]], the largest [[elephant]] known at the time, was transferred to the zoo from [[Jardin des Plantes]] in Paris. His name, possibly from ''Jambo'', [[Swahili language|Swahili]] for ''hello'', became an epithet for anything of large size, such as [[Boeing]]'s [[Boeing 747|747]] [[Wide-body aircraft|Jumbo jet]]. He became aggressive in old age, and had to stop giving rides; he was sold to [[P. T. Barnum|Phineas Barnum]]'s circus, the [[Barnum & Bailey Circus]], in 1882, where he was later crushed by a [[locomotive]] and killed.<ref name="victorian-london">{{cite web | url = http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.victorianlondon.org/ Victorian London] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Winnipeg (bear)|Winnipeg the Bear]] (or Winnie) was an [[American black bear]] given to the zoo in 1914 by a Canadian [[lieutenant]], [[Harry Colebourn]]. [[A. A. Milne]] visited with his son [[Christopher Robin Milne|Christopher Robin]], and the boy was so enamoured with the bear Milne wrote the famous series of books for him entitled ''[[Winnie-the-Pooh]]''.<ref name="famous-animals" /> A [[2004 in film|2004 film]] ''A Bear Named Winnie'' is based on the story of Winnie the bear, with [[Michael Fassbender]] playing Harry Colebourn.<ref name="bear-named-winnie">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437088/ | title = A Bear Named Winnie | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Guy the Gorilla statue.jpg|right|thumb|A bronze statue of Guy in Barclay Court]]
[[Guy the Gorilla|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 zoo's best-loved residents.<ref name="guy">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/guy-the-gorilla-a-life-remembered,409,NS.html | title = Guy the Gorilla: A Life Remembered | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> After years of trying to find a mate, in 1969 five-year-old Lomie arrived from [[Chessington Zoo]]. They were kept separated for a year to adjust to each other, until they were finally united. Although they got on well together they never produced any offspring. In 1982 Guy was commemorated by a [[bronze]] statue in Barclay Court, sculpted by [[William Timym]].<ref name="guy" />

On 27 November 1949 [[List of non-fictional bears#Brumas|Brumas]] became the first [[polar bear]] to be successfully bred at the zoo, and immediately became a major attraction with the public. This led to the zoo's annual attendance to rise to over 3 million in 1950 - a figure that has yet to be topped. Although a female, the press reported that she was a 'he' and this was not corrected at the time, leading the public to believe the bear was a male.<ref name="famous-animals" /> Eighteen years later, on 1 December 1967 the second polar bear bred at the zoo, this time a male, was born. He was named Pipaluk ([[Inuit language|Inuit]] for ''little one'') but, in 1985, had to leave the zoo when the Mappin Terraces closed.

One of the zoo's most famous [[giant panda]]s, [[Chi Chi (giant panda)|Chi Chi]], arrived in 1958. Although originally destined for an American zoo, [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] had ceased all trade with [[communism|communist]] China and so Chi Chi was refused entry to the United States. In the interests of conservation, ZSL had stated they would not encourage the collection of wild pandas. However, when it was pointed out that Chi Chi had already been collected, her purchase was approved, and she immediately become the star attraction at London Zoo. As the only giant panda in the west she was the inspiration of [[Peter Scott]]'s design for the [[World Wildlife Fund]] logo. In July 1972, Chi Chi died and was publicly mourned.<ref name="goodzoos" />
The zoo's last giant panda was Ming Ming. She arrived in 1991 on a breeding loan from China. After unsuccessful breeding attempts with Berlin's Zoo giant panda Bao Bao it had been decided to return Ming Ming to China, leaving the London Zoo without a giant panda since the end of October 1994. Zoo staff later suggested that Chinese zookeepers knew that she was infertile and lent her in order to hide how much more advanced Western husbandry techniques were compared to theirs.<ref name="Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)">{{cite web|last1=Knight|first1=Sam|title=Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/25/everything-about-panda-sex-edinburgh-zoo-long-read|website=The Guardian|accessdate=2 September 2015}}</ref>

For four days in late August 2005, the zoo ran an exhibit entitled the [[Human zoo|Human Zoo]], which put eight [[human]]s on display in the Mappin Terraces. The idea behind the exhibit was to demonstrate the basic nature of man as an animal and examine the impact we have on the animal kingdom.<ref name="BBC-human-zoo">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4184466.stm | title = Humans strip bare for zoo exhibit | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 25 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="ZSL-human-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/the-human-zoo,180,NS.html | title = The Human Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 17 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Penguin pool, London Zoo, England-24Oct2010 (6).jpg|right|thumb|Penguin Pool, a Grade I listed building]]
[[File:Penguin Pool, London Zoo.JPG|thumb|Penguin Pool]]
Since its earliest days, the zoo has prided itself on appointing leading [[architect]]s to design its buildings, today it holds two Grade I, and eight Grade II [[Listed building|listed structures]].<ref name="architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/architecture-at-the-zoo,271,NS.html | title = Architecture at the Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 15 June 2006 | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

The initial grounds were laid out in 1828 by [[Decimus Burton]], the zoo's first official architect from 1826 to 1841, made famous for his work on the [[London Colosseum]] and [[Marble Arch]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> Burton's work began with the Clock Tower in 1828 above what was then the llama house, which today is the first aid kiosk.<ref name="architecture" /> In 1830 the East Tunnel, which linked the north and south parts of the zoo together for the first time, was completed, which also acted as a bomb shelter during [[World War II]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture"/> Burton concluded his work in 1837 with the Giraffe House, which, due to its functional design, still remains in use as the zoo's giraffe enclosure in the ''Into Africa'' exhibit.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" />

After Burton, [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell|Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] and [[John James Joass]] were appointed to design the Mappin Terraces. Completed in 1914, the Mappin Terraces imitates a mountain landscape to provide a naturalistic habitat for bears and other mountain wildlife. In 1933 the Round House, designed by [[Berthold Lubetkin]]'s [[Tecton Group|Tecton Architectural Group]] to house gorillas, was one of the first [[Modern architecture|modernist]] style buildings to be built in Britain. The following year the Penguin Pool, also designed by Tecton, was opened; both are now grade I listed.<ref name="design-museum">{{cite web | url = http://www.designmuseum.org/design/berthold-lubetkin | title = Berthold Lubetkin | publisher = [[Design Museum]] | accessdate =26 March 2008}}</ref> The Modernist dual concrete spiral ramps of the Penguin Pool have made it famous, but during a 2004 refurbishment the penguins took a strong liking to the duck pond they had been temporarily relocated to, and they were moved out of the Penguin Pool permanently.<ref name="architectuul-penguins">{{cite web | url = http://architectuul.com/architecture/penguin-pool-london-zoo | title = Penguin Pool, London Zoo | publisher = Architectuul | accessdate = 10 March 2013}}</ref>

The Snowdon Aviary, built in 1964 by [[Cedric Price]], [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon|Lord Snowdon]] and [[Frank Newby]], made pioneering use of [[aluminium]] and [[tension (physics)|tension]] for support. A year later the Casson Pavilion, designed by Sir [[Hugh Casson]] and Neville Conder, was opened as an elephant and rhinoceros house.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> The Pavilion was commissioned "to display these massive animals in the most dramatic way" and designed to evoke a herd of elephants gathered around a watering hole.<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture" />

==Cultural references==

===In film and television===
[[File:Harry Potter at London Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] with a [[Burmese python]] in the Reptile House]]
[[File:Andrew Sachs, audio description of London Zoo.ogg|thumb|Audio description of the London Zoo by [[Andrew Sachs]].]]
Many films and television programmes have made use of London Zoo as a film set.<ref name="commercial-filming">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/corporate/commercial-filming-photography-and-unit-base-car-parking,579,AR.html | title = Commercial Filming and Photography | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

*In 1947, [[Carol Reed]] took his film crew and actors [[Ralph Richardson]]; [[Michèle Morgan]] and [[Bobby Henrey]] to London Zoo to film location scenes there for ''[[The Fallen Idol (film)|The Fallen Idol]]'' (released in 1948). Scenes were filmed inside the lion house and the reptile house and on the Mappin Terraces. Today, the scenes give an historic view of what the zoo looked like in the immediate post war years.
*A scene from the film ''[[The Pumpkin Eater]]'' ([[1964 in film|1964]]) with [[Anne Bancroft]] and [[James Mason]] was also set at the zoo.<ref name="travelguidelondon">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |title=To the London Zoo! |publisher=[http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/ Travel Guide London] |date=31 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140714222450/http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |archivedate=14 July 2014 }}</ref>
*During ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]'' ([[1981 in film|1981]]), the lead character David Kessler (played by [[David Naughton (actor)|David Naughton]]) woke up naked in the wolves' enclosure. Several other animals are also seen and one can clearly see the old caged enclosures of the tigers and apes.<ref name="werewolf">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/trivia | title = An American Werewolf in London (1981): Trivia | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
* Part of film ''[[Turtle Diary]]'' ([[1985 in film|1985]]), based on the novel by [[Russell Hoban]] and starring [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[Glenda Jackson]], was also filmed here; the film follows a plan to help two of the turtles escape from the zoo.<ref name="turtle-diary">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090219/locations | title = Turtle Diary (1985): Filming Locations | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
*In the final scene from the film ''[[Withnail and I]]'' ([[1987 in film|1987]]), a sad Withnail is shown standing in the pouring rain next to the former wolf enclosure, declaiming the speech [[What a piece of work is a man]] from ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref name="withnail">{{cite news | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2697992.ece | title = They’re back for one more bender: Withnail and I get together again | publisher = [[Times Online]] | date = 20 October 2007 | accessdate =5 March 2008 | author = Jack Malvern | location=London}}</ref>
*In the Disney film, ''[[101 Dalmatians (1996 film)|101 Dalmatians]]'' ([[1996 in film|1996]]), the zoo was mentioned in the news.
*In 2000,<ref name="ign-potter">{{cite web | url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/034/034135p1.html | title = Potter set news & pics | publisher = [[IGN]] | date =15 November 2000| accessdate =28 March 2008}}</ref> the [[Burmese python]] scene from the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' ([[2001 in film|2001]]) 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 [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] beside the enclosure commemorates the event.<ref name="harry-potter">{{cite web | url = http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/harry_potter1.html | title = Filming locations for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | publisher = [http://www.movie-locations.com/ Movie Locations] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>



===In literature===
*In [[Charlie Higson]]'s [[post-apocalyptic]] young adult [[Horror (genre)|horror]] novel [[The Enemy (Higson novel)|''The Enemy'']] (2009), a group of children who'd formerly taken refuge in [[Waitrose]] and [[Morrisons]] supermarkets make a perilous journey through an overgrown [[Regent's Park]] ''en route'' to [[Buckingham Palace]]. In the park, they are attacked by fearless and aggressive diseased monkeys, which have escaped from the London Zoo and which injure and kill some of the children.

===In music===
*[[Duran Duran]] filmed parts of the music video for their song "[[Come Undone (Duran Duran song)|Come Undone]]" (1993) at the London Zoo Aquarium section.
*The music video for the [[Talk Talk]] song "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)|It's My Life]]" was filmed at London Zoo in 1984. The video was used as a statement against the banality of [[lip-sync]]ing and includes mostly footage from [[nature documentary|nature documentaries]] with shots of [[lead singer]] [[Mark Hollis (English musician)|Mark Hollis]] in the zoo keeping his mouth shut, obscured by hand-drawn animated lines.

===In television===


*In the "Exploitin" episode of the [[List of Absolutely Fabulous episodes#Series 5 (2003)|fifth series]] of ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'', Edina and Patsy steal Saffy's new-born infant for a [[Jean-Paul Gaultier]] fashion shoot at the zoo.<ref name="commercial-filming" />
*A couple of scenes were filmed here for the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] series ''[[Primeval]]'' (2007-2011). The first was a confrontation between [[Helen Cutter]] and [[Claudia Brown]] in the old elephant house. The second was a brief scene that showed [[Abby Maitland]] with a Komodo dragon. Although the fictional Wellington Zoo played a large role in the episode, most scenes were filmed at [[Whipsnade Zoo]].<ref name="commercial-filming" />

==References==
{{Reflist |colwidth=30em |refs=
<ref name="corporate-events">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/corporate-and-private-events/
|title=ZSL Corporate and Private Events
|work=zsl.org
|publisher=[[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]]
|accessdate=3 March 2008
}}
</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
{{ZooOrg|waza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="eaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|eaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="biaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|biaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo London Zoo website]
* [http://www.zsl.org/ Zoological Society of London website]
* [http://source.ie/sourcephoto/?p=698/ Article and film about the London Zoo archive]
* [http://static.zsl.org/files/zsl06-07-report-355.pdf ZSL Annual Review]
* [http://www.zsl.org/field-conservation/bushmeat-and-forest/ ZSL Bushmeat and Forest Conservation]
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm London Zoo in the 19th century]
* [http://www.britishzoos.co.uk/londonzoo/ London Zoo at British Zoos]
* [http://www.zsl.org/conservation/about-conservation/conservation-policy/2050/stories-for-our-children-the-world-in-2050,30,GAL.html Status of the planet by ZSL]

{{ZSL}}
{{British zoos}}
{{London landmarks}}

[[Category:1828 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Aviaries]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Cultural and educational buildings in London]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade I listed zoo buildings]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in London]]
[[Category:Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Zoological Society of London]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1828]]
[[Category:Zoos in England]]
[[Category:London Zoo| ]]

London Zoo

2016-04-25T11:50:33Z

78.24.172.219: /* Areas and attractions */

{{for|the album|London Zoo (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name= ZSL London Zoo
|logo=ZSL London Zoo logo.png
|logo_width=
|logo_caption=
|image=
|image_width=
|image_caption=
|date_opened=27 April 1828
|date_closed=
|location=[[Regent's Park]], London, England
|area={{Convert|36|acre}}<ref name="corporate-events"/>
|coordinates={{Coord|51|32|08|N|00|09|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2500|display=it}}
|num_animals= 17,480 (2015)
|members=[[British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums|BIAZA]],<ref name="biaza_list"/> [[European Association of Zoos and Aquaria|EAZA]],<ref name="eaza_list"/> [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]]<ref name="waza_list"/>
|exhibits=Gorilla Kingdom, Animal Adventure, Blackburn Pavilion, Clore Rainforest Lookout, Into Africa, Tiger territory, Land of the Lions.
|website=[http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ ZSL London Zoo]
}}
'''London Zoo''' is the world's oldest scientific [[zoo]].<ref name="ZSL-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zsls-history,129,AR.html | title = ZSL's History | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It was opened in [[London]] on April 27, 1828,<ref name="science-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.todayinsci.com/4/4_27.htm | title = April 27 | publisher = [http://www.todayinsci.com/ Today in Science History] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and was originally intended to be used as a collection for [[science|scientific study]]. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today it houses a collection of 756 [[species]] of [[animal]]s, with 17,480 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.<ref name="inventory">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html | title = ZSL Animal Inventory | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 31 December 2006 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo is sometimes called '''Regent's Zoo'''.

It is managed under the aegis of the [[Zoological Society of London]] (established in 1826),<ref name="ZSL-history" /> and is situated at the northern edge of [[Regent's Park]], on the boundary line between the [[City of Westminster]] and the borough of [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] (the [[Regent's Canal]] runs through it).<ref name="location">{{cite web | url = http://local.google.co.uk/local?f=q&hl=en&q=&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=51.534844,-0.15353&spn=0.008502,0.020127&t=k | title = Google Maps | publisher = [[Google]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> The Society also has a more spacious site at [[Whipsnade Zoo|ZSL Whipsnade Zoo]] in [[Bedfordshire]] to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.<ref name="elephants-move">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/796,796,PR.html | title = London elephants to join friends at Whipsnade | date =30 October 2001|publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="elephants-leave">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1631128.stm | title = Elephants leave London | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date =1 November 2001| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853),<ref name = "aquarium-history"/> first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows' and 'Friends' memberships, entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.<ref name="income">{{cite web | url = http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf |format=PDF| title = Volunteering at London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080411152620/http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf  |archivedate = 11 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="goodzoos">{{cite web | url = http://www.goodzoos.com/UK%20Zoos/london.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.goodzoos.com/ Good Zoos] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Gardens of the Zoological Society Regent's Park 1828 - Project Gutenberg eText 11389.png|thumb|right|Bird's eye view of the gardens of the Zoological Society, circa 1828]]
[[File:View of the Zoological Gardens1835.jpg|right|thumb|1835 painting of the camel house.]]
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) was established by [[Stamford Raffles|Sir Stamford Raffles]] and [[Humphry Davy|Sir Humphry Davy]] in 1826,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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 5 July – his birthday.<ref name="goodzoos" /> After his death the [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne|third]] [[Marquess of Lansdowne|Marquis of Lansdowne]] took over the project and supervised the building of the first animal houses.<ref name="goodzoos" /> The zoo opened in April 1828 to fellows of the Society,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> providing access to species such as [[Arabian oryx]], [[greater kudu]]s, [[orangutan]] and the now extinct [[quagga]] and [[thylacine]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> The Society was granted a [[Royal Charter]] in 1829 by [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]], and in 1847 the zoo opened to the public to aid funding.<ref name="ZSL-history" /><ref name="placestogo">{{cite web | url = http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/London_Zoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/ Places to Go] | accessdate =11 March 2008}}</ref>

It was believed that [[tropics|tropical]] animals could not survive outside in London's cold weather and so they were all kept indoors until 1902, when [[Doctor (title)|Dr]] [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] was appointed secretary of the Society.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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 [[Zoological Garden of Hamburg|Hamburg Zoo]], and led to newer designs to many of the buildings.<ref name="goodzoos" /> Mitchell also envisaged a new {{convert|600|acre|adj=on}} park to the north of London, and in 1926 Hall Farm, near to [[Whipsnade|Whipsnade village]], was bought. In 1931 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park opened, becoming the world's first open zoological park.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today the zoo participates in breeding programmes for over 130 species.<ref name="ZSL-history" />

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]].<ref name="goodzoos" />

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.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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.<ref name="goodzoos" /><ref name="could-be-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1867,PR.html | title = It could be Zoo... | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =4 October 2007| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

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.

==Areas and attractions==
[[File:Pelecanus onocrotalus -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg|right|thumb|Three great white pelicans in their enclosure]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Group
! Number of species
! Number of individuals
|-
| [[Mammal]]s || 67 || 566
|-
| [[Stijn]]s || 108 || 614
|-
| [[Cedric]]s || 58 || 173
|-
| [[Amphibian]]s || 25 || 727
|-
| [[Fish]] || 270 || 5130
|-
| [[Invertebrate]]s || 228 || 10278
|- class="sortbottom"
| Total || 756 || 17480<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html|title=Animal inventory|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>
|}

===Land of the Lions===
Land of the Lions is a new enclosure for ZSL London Zoo's [[Asiatic lion]]s, which opened in Spring 2016 by HRH Queen Elizbeth II. The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and designed to resemble the [[Gir Forest National Park]] in India. The exhibit is also home to a troop of [[Hanuman langur]]s also a band of dwarf mongoose and shows how the lions' natural habitat overlaps with the local urban environments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/land-of-the-lions|title=Land of the Lions|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Tiger Territory===
Tiger Territory is ZSL London Zoo's [[Sumatran tiger]] enclosure, designed by architect Michael Kozdon<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture">{{cite news | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/mar/20/london-zoo-new-tiger-territory | last = Wainwright | first = Oliver | title = London Zoo's new Tiger Territory: built for the animals first, and visitors second | publisher = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | date = 20 March 2013 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and officially opened by HRH Duke of Edinburgh in March 2013. The zoo currently owns five tigers: a male named Jae Jae and a female named Melati
<ref name="sumatran-tigers-mail">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2219663/Two-Sumatran-tigers-crates-flown-new-home-London-Zoo-breeding-program.html | last = Allen | first = Emily | title = Handle with EXTREME care! Two Sumatran tigers put in crates and flown to new home at London Zoo as part of international breeding program | publisher = ''[[Daily Mail]]'' | date = 18 October 2012 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and their three cubs born in February 2014 (two males named Budi and Nakal, and a female named Cinta). The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and features authentic Indonesian plant life,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/tigers-mark-their-territory-at-the-zoo,996,NS.html</ref> as well as a net canopy of 3mm steel cable supported by four metal poles.

===Gorilla Kingdom===
Opened by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|HRH Duke of Edinburgh]] in March 2007, Gorilla Kingdom is home to a group of six [[western lowland gorilla]]s, and consists of a moated island with an indoor gym for the gorillas to use. London Zoo currently owns six gorillas: a silver-back male named Kumbuka,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/theres-a-new-man-about-town,1078,NS.html</ref> three adult females named Zaire, Mjuuku and Effie, an infant female named Alika (the daughter of Mjuuku and Kumbuka), born in December 2014 and infant male born November 2015. The Gorilla Kingdom area also features smaller enclosures housing [[Diana monkey]]s, [[black and white colobus]], [[sooty mangabey]]s, Sulawesi crested macaques and [[Congo peafowl]].

===Into Africa===
Into Africa is an [[Africa]]-themed area that was opened in April 2006.<ref name="fitzpatrick">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning/meet-the-team/meet-the-keeper-malcolm-fitzpatrick-curator-of-mammals,371,AR.html | title = Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Curator of Mammals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Animals on display in this area include [[Chapman's zebra]]s, [[warthog]]s, [[okapi]], [[Rothschild's giraffe]]s, [[pygmy hippopotamus]]<ref name="eye-to-eye">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1808,PR.html | title = Come eye-to-eye with a Giraffe | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =31 March 2006| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and [[African wild dog]]s. The giraffe enclosure features a high level viewing platform to give the public face-to-face contact with the giraffes.

===Rainforest Life and Nightlife===
Rainforest Life is a walk-through indoor exhibit that houses several different species of [[rainforest]] animals. Among the species in the main forest walk-through are [[two-toed sloth]]s, [[golden-headed lion tamarin]]s, a female [[tamandua]] named Tammy, [[Titi|red titi monkey]]s, [[armadillo]]s, [[Geoffrey's marmoset]]s, [[cotton-top tamarin]]s, [[Goeldi's marmoset]]s and [[sunbittern]]s. The building also has a darkened area called "Nightlife", which houses nocturnal animals such as [[Seba's short-tailed bat]]s, [[slender loris]]es, [[potto]]s, [[Australian water rat]]s, [[Malagasy giant rat]]s and [[blind cave fish]].

===The Mappin Terraces/The Outback===
The Outback is an [[Australia]]-themed exhibit housing groups of [[emu]]s, [[Bennett's wallaby|Bennett's wallabies]] and [[red kangaroo]]s. The enclosure, which was originally called "The Mappin Terraces", was originally opened in 1913<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> and features an artificial rocky cliff made of concrete blocks for animal enrichment.

===The aquarium===
[[File:London Zoo, England -aquarium-24Oct2010.jpg|right|thumb|Aquarium]]
[[File:London Zoo 00936.jpg|thumb|right|A copperband butterflyfish in the coral reef hall]]
There has been an [[aquarium]] at the zoo since 1853, the zoo's first aquarium was also the world's first public aquarium.<ref name="aquarium-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/aquarium/the-history-of-the-aquarium,656,AR.html | title = The History of the Aquarium | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The word "aquarium" was coined by [[Philip Henry Gosse]] who had also created and stocked the first public aquarium at London Zoo.<ref name="aquarium-history" /> The current aquarium was built in 1921 next to the Mappin Terraces, and was officially opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] and his wife [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] in April 1924.

The aquarium is separated into three halls, each home to different types of fish and other aquatic wildlife. The first hall primarily contains freshwater species such as [[rudd]] and [[European eel]]s, as well as some saltwater species involved in various conservation projects and captive-breeding programmes, such as [[broad sea fan]]s and [[seahorses]]. The second hall displays various species of [[coral reef]] fish from around the world, such as [[clownfish]], [[copperband butterflyfish]] and [[regal tang]]s, as well as real coral. The third hall houses species native to the [[Amazon River]], including [[red-bellied piranha]]s, [[Pterophyllum|angelfish]], [[arapaima]]s and [[ocellate river stingray]]s. As well as the three halls, the aquarium also features the "Big Fish Tank", which contains large fish species that are all former pets, and had to be rescued because their owners did not have the proper equipment or understanding to look after them. The species in the Big Fish Tank include [[tambaqui]], [[catfish]] and [[Piaractus mesopotamicus|pirapitinga]].

===Animal Adventure===
Animal Adventure (formerly called the Ambika Paul Children's Zoo) opened in 2009 and is an area aimed primarily at children, featuring playgrounds and a water fountain. Many of the animals in Animal Adventure are domestic animals, such as sheep, donkeys, [[llama]]s, [[alpaca]]s, goats and ferrets, as well as rare breeds such as [[silkie chicken]]s, [[rex rabbit]]s and [[Kunekune|kunekune pigs]]. Exotic species on display include [[yellow mongoose]]s, [[crested porcupine]]s, [[aardvark]]s, [[prairie dogs]], [[ring-tailed coati]]s and one of the zoo's two groups of [[meerkat]]s (the other group live in an enclosure next to the Rainforest Life building). The meerkat enclosure features a tunnel that children can crawl through until they reach a see-through dome that allows them to see directly into the enclosure.

===The Reptile House===
One of London Zoo's most well-known buildings, the Reptile House opened in 1927 and was designed by [[Joan Beauchamp Procter]] and [[Sir Edward Guy Dawber]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> It houses several species of reptile, including [[Jamaican boa]], [[Philippine crocodile]]s, [[eastern diamondback rattlesnake]]s, [[black mamba]]s, [[rhinoceros iguana]]s, [[king cobra]]s, [[emerald tree boa]]s and [[Yemen chameleon]]s. In December 2012, a refurbished amphibian section was opened to the public, displaying amphibians such as [[African bullfrog]]s, [[axolotl]]s, [[caecillian]]s and various types of [[poison dart frog]].<ref>http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/reptile-house/amphibians/</ref>

===Giants of the Galápagos===
Giants of the Galápagos was opened in 2009 to coincide with the 200th birthday of [[Charles Darwin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/giants-of-the-galapagos/|title=Galapagos Tortoises|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref> and is home to five [[Galápagos giant tortoise]]s: a male named Dirk and four females named Dolly, Dolores, Polly and Priscilla. The exhibit features a large indoor area, with a heated pond and [[underfloor heating]], while the outdoor paddock has been designed to mimic the tortoise's natural environment and features two heated pools, one of which is a naturalistic clay wallow.

===Komodo dragons===
[[File:London Zoo 01050.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Raja, the male Komodo dragon]]
London Zoo's [[Komodo dragon]] enclosure was opened by [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]] in July 2004.<ref name="dragons-arrive">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/komodo-dragons-arrive,41,NS.html | title = Komodo Dragons Arrive | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =2 August 2004 | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo currently owns two Komodo dragons, a female named Rinka and a male named Raja. Their enclosure is designed to resemble the dragon's natural habitat of a dry river bed, and sounds of Indonesian birds are regularly played into the enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/komodo-dragons/|title=Komodo Dragon|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===B.U.G.S===
B.U.G.S (which stands for [[Biodiversity]] Underpinning Global Survival and formerly called Web of Life) is held in a building called The Millennium Conservation Centre, and aims to educate the public about biodiversity.<ref name="bugs">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/catch-up-with-the-b-u-g-s,122,EV.html | title = Catch up with the B.U.G.S! | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The building displays over 140 species, the majority of which are invertebrates. They include [[leafcutter ant]]s, [[jewel wasp]]s, [[Golden Mantella|golden mantella frogs]], [[brown rat]]s, [[bird-eating spider]]s, [[naked mole rat]]s, [[leaf insect]]s, [[moon jellyfish]], [[Giant African land snail]]s, [[cave cricket]]s, [[fruit beetle]]s and [[black widow spider]]s. The Millennium Conservation Centre aims to be environmentally friendly, constructed from materials requiring little energy to produce, and generating its heating from the body heat of both the animals and visitors. In May 2015 an exhibit called In With The Spiders opened in B.U.G.S as Europe's first and only Spider walkthrough exhibit. It is home to many different types of Spiders including the black widow, huntsman, bird eating spiders and one of the UK's most endangered animals, the fen raft spider.<ref name="bugs" />

===Penguin Beach===
Penguin Beach opened in 2011 and houses seventy [[Humboldt penguin]]s, as well as a single male [[rockhopper penguin]] named Ricky. The pool itself is currently the largest penguin pool in an English zoo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/penguins/|title=Penguin Beach|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===In with the Lemurs===
Opened in March 2015, In with the Lemurs is a walk-through exhibit housing a troop of fifteen [[ring-tailed lemur]]s, as well as a single [[black and white ruffed lemur]]. The exhibit is designed to resemble a shrub forest in [[Madagascar]], featuring plant life such as [[loquat]] and [[Chusan palm]] trees.

===Meet the Monkeys===
Opened by comedians [[Noel Fielding]] and [[Julian Barratt]] of [[The Mighty Boosh]] in 2005,<ref name="monkey-walkthrough">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/meet-the-monkeys-walkthrough,792,AR.html | title = Meet the Monkeys Walkthrough | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Meet the Monkeys is a walk-through enclosure that houses a troop of 20 [[black-capped squirrel monkey]]s. The exhibit has no roof, and there are no boundaries between the monkeys and the visitors.<ref name="revolutionary-monkey">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/a-revolutionary-new-monkey-walk-through-at-london-zoo,113,NS.html | title = A revolutionary new monkey walkthrough at London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref>

===Butterfly Paradise===
[[File:London Zoo Atlas Moth.jpg|right|thumb|An atlas moth in Butterfly Paradise]]
Opened in May 2006, Butterfly Paradise houses several different species of butterfly and moth from around the world, as well as plant species specially selected to provide nectar and breeding areas for the insects.<ref name="butterfly-paradise">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/butterfly-paradise,744,AR.html | title = Butterfly Paradise | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> Species on display include the [[Parthenos sylvia|clipper butterfly]], [[Morpho peleides|blue morpho butterfly]], [[atlas moth]], [[Heliconius charithonia|zebra longwing]], [[glasswing butterfly]] and [[Heliconius melpomene|postman butterfly]].<ref name="inventory" /> The exhibit also features a [[caterpillar]] hatchery and a pupa display cabinet, where visitors can witness different types of pupae and the development of new butterflies.<ref name="pupae">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/pupae-and-breeding-room,746,AR.html | title = Pupae Breeding Room | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===African Bird Safari===
The African Bird Safari opened in 2005 as a redevelopment of the old stork and ostrich house, replacing three enclosures that were out of date by modern zoo-keeping standards.<ref name="african-bird-safari">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo//whats-on/african-bird-safari,285,AR.html | title = African Bird Sarafi | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It is a walk-through exhibit housing various species of African birds including [[superb starling]]s, [[Von der Decken's hornbill]]s, [[Bernier's teal]]s, [[Abdim's stork]]s, [[blue-bellied roller]]s and [[lilac-breasted roller]]s.<ref name="african-bird-safari" /><ref name="pitter-patter">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/pitter-patter-of-webbed-feet-at-london-zoo,259,NS.html | title = Pitter Patter of Webbed Feet at ZSL London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===Snowdon Aviary===
[[File:Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, England-16Aug2009.jpg|right|thumb|The Snowdon Aviary]]
The Snowdon Aviary was designed by [[Cedric Price]], [[Frank Newby]] and [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon]], and was built in 1964.<ref name="ZSL-architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zoo-architecture,103,AR.html | title = ZSL Architecture | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> A variety of birds have been kept in the aviary since it was opened, and it currently houses [[green peafowl]], [[sacred ibis]], [[little egret]]s, [[brolga]], [[cattle egret]]s, [[northern bald ibis]] and [[grey-headed gull]]s.

===Blackburn Pavilion===
The Blackburn Pavilion is a rainforest-themed tropical bird aviary that opened in March 2008, as a refurishment of the zoo's out-of-date bird house.<ref name="blackburn-pavilion">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html | title = Blackburn Pavilion | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The building was originally constructed in 1883, as a reptile house. The pavilion houses fifty different species of exotic birds, including [[Socorro dove]]s, [[amazilia hummingbird]]s (the only hummingbirds in a British zoo<ref name="new-bird-enclosure">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7306169.stm | title = London Zoo's new bird enclosure | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 20 March 2008| accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>), [[Mindanao bleeding-heart]]s, [[scarlet ibis]], [[toco toucan]]s, [[splendid sunbird]]s, [[pied avocet]]s and [[blue-winged kookaburra]]s. Outside the entrance is one of the pavilion's prominent features, a large elaborate clock by [[Tim Hunkin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timhunkin.com/a136_zoo-clock.htm|title=London Zoo Clock 2008|work=Tim Hunkin}}</ref> It gives a bird-themed display every thirty minutes throughout the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html|title=Blackburn Pavilion|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Others===
Other notable animals in London Zoo's collection include [[black vulture]]s, [[greater flamingo]]s, [[vicuna]]s, [[Bactrian camel]]s, [[spectacled owl]]s, [[red-ruffed lemur]]s, [[African harrier hawk]]s, [[Malayan tapir]]s, [[burrowing owl]]s, [[white-cheeked gibbon]]s, [[military macaw]]s, [[Oriental small-clawed otter]]s, [[reindeer]], [[giant anteater]]s, [[Rüppell's vulture]]s, [[Bornean bearded pig]]s, [[Rodrigues fruit bat]]s, [[Chinese giant salamander]]s and [[great white pelican]]s.

==Future developments==
The zoo plans to create better accessibility, which will involve relocating the main entrance to the east, adjacent to the Broad Walk in Regent's Park.<ref name="terryfarrell">{{cite web | url = http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html | title = London Zoo Masterplan | publisher = [http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk Terry Farrell and Partners] | accessdate =11 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080204191933/http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html  |archivedate = 4 February 2008}}</ref>{{update after|2013|12}}

==Notable former animals==
[[File:Quagga London Zoo.jpg|thumb|left|The only photographs taken of a living [[quagga]] were taken of a [[mare]] at London Zoo between 1864 and 1870.]]
Throughout its history the zoo has had many well-known residents. These may have been scientifically important individuals or simply beloved by the public.

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. Another now extinct species the zoo held was a number of [[thylacine]]s, or "[[Tasmania]]n tigers".<ref name="famous-animals">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning//zoo-world/famous-animals,98,AR.html | title = Famous animals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Obaysch]] was the first [[hippopotamus]] to be seen in Europe since the Roman Empire, and the first in England since prehistoric times. The hippo arrived at London Zoo in May 1850 as a gift from the [[Khedive|Ottoman Viceroy]] of Egypt in exchange for some greyhounds and deerhounds. Obaysch led to a doubling of the zoo's visitors that year.<ref name="cusack">{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewcusack.com/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |title=Obaysch the Hippo |publisher=[http://www.andrewcusack.com/ Andrew Cusack] |date=24 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20081207074351/http://www.andrewcusack.com:80/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |archivedate=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

In 1865, [[Jumbo]], the largest [[elephant]] known at the time, was transferred to the zoo from [[Jardin des Plantes]] in Paris. His name, possibly from ''Jambo'', [[Swahili language|Swahili]] for ''hello'', became an epithet for anything of large size, such as [[Boeing]]'s [[Boeing 747|747]] [[Wide-body aircraft|Jumbo jet]]. He became aggressive in old age, and had to stop giving rides; he was sold to [[P. T. Barnum|Phineas Barnum]]'s circus, the [[Barnum & Bailey Circus]], in 1882, where he was later crushed by a [[locomotive]] and killed.<ref name="victorian-london">{{cite web | url = http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.victorianlondon.org/ Victorian London] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Winnipeg (bear)|Winnipeg the Bear]] (or Winnie) was an [[American black bear]] given to the zoo in 1914 by a Canadian [[lieutenant]], [[Harry Colebourn]]. [[A. A. Milne]] visited with his son [[Christopher Robin Milne|Christopher Robin]], and the boy was so enamoured with the bear Milne wrote the famous series of books for him entitled ''[[Winnie-the-Pooh]]''.<ref name="famous-animals" /> A [[2004 in film|2004 film]] ''A Bear Named Winnie'' is based on the story of Winnie the bear, with [[Michael Fassbender]] playing Harry Colebourn.<ref name="bear-named-winnie">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437088/ | title = A Bear Named Winnie | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Guy the Gorilla statue.jpg|right|thumb|A bronze statue of Guy in Barclay Court]]
[[Guy the Gorilla|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 zoo's best-loved residents.<ref name="guy">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/guy-the-gorilla-a-life-remembered,409,NS.html | title = Guy the Gorilla: A Life Remembered | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> After years of trying to find a mate, in 1969 five-year-old Lomie arrived from [[Chessington Zoo]]. They were kept separated for a year to adjust to each other, until they were finally united. Although they got on well together they never produced any offspring. In 1982 Guy was commemorated by a [[bronze]] statue in Barclay Court, sculpted by [[William Timym]].<ref name="guy" />

On 27 November 1949 [[List of non-fictional bears#Brumas|Brumas]] became the first [[polar bear]] to be successfully bred at the zoo, and immediately became a major attraction with the public. This led to the zoo's annual attendance to rise to over 3 million in 1950 - a figure that has yet to be topped. Although a female, the press reported that she was a 'he' and this was not corrected at the time, leading the public to believe the bear was a male.<ref name="famous-animals" /> Eighteen years later, on 1 December 1967 the second polar bear bred at the zoo, this time a male, was born. He was named Pipaluk ([[Inuit language|Inuit]] for ''little one'') but, in 1985, had to leave the zoo when the Mappin Terraces closed.

One of the zoo's most famous [[giant panda]]s, [[Chi Chi (giant panda)|Chi Chi]], arrived in 1958. Although originally destined for an American zoo, [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] had ceased all trade with [[communism|communist]] China and so Chi Chi was refused entry to the United States. In the interests of conservation, ZSL had stated they would not encourage the collection of wild pandas. However, when it was pointed out that Chi Chi had already been collected, her purchase was approved, and she immediately become the star attraction at London Zoo. As the only giant panda in the west she was the inspiration of [[Peter Scott]]'s design for the [[World Wildlife Fund]] logo. In July 1972, Chi Chi died and was publicly mourned.<ref name="goodzoos" />
The zoo's last giant panda was Ming Ming. She arrived in 1991 on a breeding loan from China. After unsuccessful breeding attempts with Berlin's Zoo giant panda Bao Bao it had been decided to return Ming Ming to China, leaving the London Zoo without a giant panda since the end of October 1994. Zoo staff later suggested that Chinese zookeepers knew that she was infertile and lent her in order to hide how much more advanced Western husbandry techniques were compared to theirs.<ref name="Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)">{{cite web|last1=Knight|first1=Sam|title=Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/25/everything-about-panda-sex-edinburgh-zoo-long-read|website=The Guardian|accessdate=2 September 2015}}</ref>

For four days in late August 2005, the zoo ran an exhibit entitled the [[Human zoo|Human Zoo]], which put eight [[human]]s on display in the Mappin Terraces. The idea behind the exhibit was to demonstrate the basic nature of man as an animal and examine the impact we have on the animal kingdom.<ref name="BBC-human-zoo">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4184466.stm | title = Humans strip bare for zoo exhibit | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 25 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="ZSL-human-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/the-human-zoo,180,NS.html | title = The Human Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 17 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Penguin pool, London Zoo, England-24Oct2010 (6).jpg|right|thumb|Penguin Pool, a Grade I listed building]]
[[File:Penguin Pool, London Zoo.JPG|thumb|Penguin Pool]]
Since its earliest days, the zoo has prided itself on appointing leading [[architect]]s to design its buildings, today it holds two Grade I, and eight Grade II [[Listed building|listed structures]].<ref name="architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/architecture-at-the-zoo,271,NS.html | title = Architecture at the Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 15 June 2006 | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

The initial grounds were laid out in 1828 by [[Decimus Burton]], the zoo's first official architect from 1826 to 1841, made famous for his work on the [[London Colosseum]] and [[Marble Arch]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> Burton's work began with the Clock Tower in 1828 above what was then the llama house, which today is the first aid kiosk.<ref name="architecture" /> In 1830 the East Tunnel, which linked the north and south parts of the zoo together for the first time, was completed, which also acted as a bomb shelter during [[World War II]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture"/> Burton concluded his work in 1837 with the Giraffe House, which, due to its functional design, still remains in use as the zoo's giraffe enclosure in the ''Into Africa'' exhibit.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" />

After Burton, [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell|Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] and [[John James Joass]] were appointed to design the Mappin Terraces. Completed in 1914, the Mappin Terraces imitates a mountain landscape to provide a naturalistic habitat for bears and other mountain wildlife. In 1933 the Round House, designed by [[Berthold Lubetkin]]'s [[Tecton Group|Tecton Architectural Group]] to house gorillas, was one of the first [[Modern architecture|modernist]] style buildings to be built in Britain. The following year the Penguin Pool, also designed by Tecton, was opened; both are now grade I listed.<ref name="design-museum">{{cite web | url = http://www.designmuseum.org/design/berthold-lubetkin | title = Berthold Lubetkin | publisher = [[Design Museum]] | accessdate =26 March 2008}}</ref> The Modernist dual concrete spiral ramps of the Penguin Pool have made it famous, but during a 2004 refurbishment the penguins took a strong liking to the duck pond they had been temporarily relocated to, and they were moved out of the Penguin Pool permanently.<ref name="architectuul-penguins">{{cite web | url = http://architectuul.com/architecture/penguin-pool-london-zoo | title = Penguin Pool, London Zoo | publisher = Architectuul | accessdate = 10 March 2013}}</ref>

The Snowdon Aviary, built in 1964 by [[Cedric Price]], [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon|Lord Snowdon]] and [[Frank Newby]], made pioneering use of [[aluminium]] and [[tension (physics)|tension]] for support. A year later the Casson Pavilion, designed by Sir [[Hugh Casson]] and Neville Conder, was opened as an elephant and rhinoceros house.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> The Pavilion was commissioned "to display these massive animals in the most dramatic way" and designed to evoke a herd of elephants gathered around a watering hole.<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture" />

==Cultural references==

===In film and television===
[[File:Harry Potter at London Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] with a [[Burmese python]] in the Reptile House]]
[[File:Andrew Sachs, audio description of London Zoo.ogg|thumb|Audio description of the London Zoo by [[Andrew Sachs]].]]
Many films and television programmes have made use of London Zoo as a film set.<ref name="commercial-filming">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/corporate/commercial-filming-photography-and-unit-base-car-parking,579,AR.html | title = Commercial Filming and Photography | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

*In 1947, [[Carol Reed]] took his film crew and actors [[Ralph Richardson]]; [[Michèle Morgan]] and [[Bobby Henrey]] to London Zoo to film location scenes there for ''[[The Fallen Idol (film)|The Fallen Idol]]'' (released in 1948). Scenes were filmed inside the lion house and the reptile house and on the Mappin Terraces. Today, the scenes give an historic view of what the zoo looked like in the immediate post war years.
*A scene from the film ''[[The Pumpkin Eater]]'' ([[1964 in film|1964]]) with [[Anne Bancroft]] and [[James Mason]] was also set at the zoo.<ref name="travelguidelondon">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |title=To the London Zoo! |publisher=[http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/ Travel Guide London] |date=31 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140714222450/http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |archivedate=14 July 2014 }}</ref>
*During ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]'' ([[1981 in film|1981]]), the lead character David Kessler (played by [[David Naughton (actor)|David Naughton]]) woke up naked in the wolves' enclosure. Several other animals are also seen and one can clearly see the old caged enclosures of the tigers and apes.<ref name="werewolf">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/trivia | title = An American Werewolf in London (1981): Trivia | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
* Part of film ''[[Turtle Diary]]'' ([[1985 in film|1985]]), based on the novel by [[Russell Hoban]] and starring [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[Glenda Jackson]], was also filmed here; the film follows a plan to help two of the turtles escape from the zoo.<ref name="turtle-diary">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090219/locations | title = Turtle Diary (1985): Filming Locations | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
*In the final scene from the film ''[[Withnail and I]]'' ([[1987 in film|1987]]), a sad Withnail is shown standing in the pouring rain next to the former wolf enclosure, declaiming the speech [[What a piece of work is a man]] from ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref name="withnail">{{cite news | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2697992.ece | title = They’re back for one more bender: Withnail and I get together again | publisher = [[Times Online]] | date = 20 October 2007 | accessdate =5 March 2008 | author = Jack Malvern | location=London}}</ref>
*In the Disney film, ''[[101 Dalmatians (1996 film)|101 Dalmatians]]'' ([[1996 in film|1996]]), the zoo was mentioned in the news.
*In 2000,<ref name="ign-potter">{{cite web | url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/034/034135p1.html | title = Potter set news & pics | publisher = [[IGN]] | date =15 November 2000| accessdate =28 March 2008}}</ref> the [[Burmese python]] scene from the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' ([[2001 in film|2001]]) 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 [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] beside the enclosure commemorates the event.<ref name="harry-potter">{{cite web | url = http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/harry_potter1.html | title = Filming locations for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | publisher = [http://www.movie-locations.com/ Movie Locations] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>



===In literature===
*In [[Charlie Higson]]'s [[post-apocalyptic]] young adult [[Horror (genre)|horror]] novel [[The Enemy (Higson novel)|''The Enemy'']] (2009), a group of children who'd formerly taken refuge in [[Waitrose]] and [[Morrisons]] supermarkets make a perilous journey through an overgrown [[Regent's Park]] ''en route'' to [[Buckingham Palace]]. In the park, they are attacked by fearless and aggressive diseased monkeys, which have escaped from the London Zoo and which injure and kill some of the children.

===In music===
*[[Duran Duran]] filmed parts of the music video for their song "[[Come Undone (Duran Duran song)|Come Undone]]" (1993) at the London Zoo Aquarium section.
*The music video for the [[Talk Talk]] song "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)|It's My Life]]" was filmed at London Zoo in 1984. The video was used as a statement against the banality of [[lip-sync]]ing and includes mostly footage from [[nature documentary|nature documentaries]] with shots of [[lead singer]] [[Mark Hollis (English musician)|Mark Hollis]] in the zoo keeping his mouth shut, obscured by hand-drawn animated lines.

===In television===


*In the "Exploitin" episode of the [[List of Absolutely Fabulous episodes#Series 5 (2003)|fifth series]] of ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'', Edina and Patsy steal Saffy's new-born infant for a [[Jean-Paul Gaultier]] fashion shoot at the zoo.<ref name="commercial-filming" />
*A couple of scenes were filmed here for the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] series ''[[Primeval]]'' (2007-2011). The first was a confrontation between [[Helen Cutter]] and [[Claudia Brown]] in the old elephant house. The second was a brief scene that showed [[Abby Maitland]] with a Komodo dragon. Although the fictional Wellington Zoo played a large role in the episode, most scenes were filmed at [[Whipsnade Zoo]].<ref name="commercial-filming" />

==References==
{{Reflist |colwidth=30em |refs=
<ref name="corporate-events">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/corporate-and-private-events/
|title=ZSL Corporate and Private Events
|work=zsl.org
|publisher=[[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]]
|accessdate=3 March 2008
}}
</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
{{ZooOrg|waza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="eaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|eaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="biaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|biaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo London Zoo website]
* [http://www.zsl.org/ Zoological Society of London website]
* [http://source.ie/sourcephoto/?p=698/ Article and film about the London Zoo archive]
* [http://static.zsl.org/files/zsl06-07-report-355.pdf ZSL Annual Review]
* [http://www.zsl.org/field-conservation/bushmeat-and-forest/ ZSL Bushmeat and Forest Conservation]
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm London Zoo in the 19th century]
* [http://www.britishzoos.co.uk/londonzoo/ London Zoo at British Zoos]
* [http://www.zsl.org/conservation/about-conservation/conservation-policy/2050/stories-for-our-children-the-world-in-2050,30,GAL.html Status of the planet by ZSL]

{{ZSL}}
{{British zoos}}
{{London landmarks}}

[[Category:1828 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Aviaries]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Cultural and educational buildings in London]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade I listed zoo buildings]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in London]]
[[Category:Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Zoological Society of London]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1828]]
[[Category:Zoos in England]]
[[Category:London Zoo| ]]

London Zoo

2016-04-25T11:49:40Z

78.24.172.219: /* Areas and attractions */

{{for|the album|London Zoo (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name= ZSL London Zoo
|logo=ZSL London Zoo logo.png
|logo_width=
|logo_caption=
|image=
|image_width=
|image_caption=
|date_opened=27 April 1828
|date_closed=
|location=[[Regent's Park]], London, England
|area={{Convert|36|acre}}<ref name="corporate-events"/>
|coordinates={{Coord|51|32|08|N|00|09|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2500|display=it}}
|num_animals= 17,480 (2015)
|members=[[British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums|BIAZA]],<ref name="biaza_list"/> [[European Association of Zoos and Aquaria|EAZA]],<ref name="eaza_list"/> [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]]<ref name="waza_list"/>
|exhibits=Gorilla Kingdom, Animal Adventure, Blackburn Pavilion, Clore Rainforest Lookout, Into Africa, Tiger territory, Land of the Lions.
|website=[http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ ZSL London Zoo]
}}
'''London Zoo''' is the world's oldest scientific [[zoo]].<ref name="ZSL-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zsls-history,129,AR.html | title = ZSL's History | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It was opened in [[London]] on April 27, 1828,<ref name="science-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.todayinsci.com/4/4_27.htm | title = April 27 | publisher = [http://www.todayinsci.com/ Today in Science History] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and was originally intended to be used as a collection for [[science|scientific study]]. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today it houses a collection of 756 [[species]] of [[animal]]s, with 17,480 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.<ref name="inventory">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html | title = ZSL Animal Inventory | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 31 December 2006 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo is sometimes called '''Regent's Zoo'''.

It is managed under the aegis of the [[Zoological Society of London]] (established in 1826),<ref name="ZSL-history" /> and is situated at the northern edge of [[Regent's Park]], on the boundary line between the [[City of Westminster]] and the borough of [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] (the [[Regent's Canal]] runs through it).<ref name="location">{{cite web | url = http://local.google.co.uk/local?f=q&hl=en&q=&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=51.534844,-0.15353&spn=0.008502,0.020127&t=k | title = Google Maps | publisher = [[Google]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> The Society also has a more spacious site at [[Whipsnade Zoo|ZSL Whipsnade Zoo]] in [[Bedfordshire]] to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.<ref name="elephants-move">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/796,796,PR.html | title = London elephants to join friends at Whipsnade | date =30 October 2001|publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="elephants-leave">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1631128.stm | title = Elephants leave London | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date =1 November 2001| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853),<ref name = "aquarium-history"/> first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows' and 'Friends' memberships, entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.<ref name="income">{{cite web | url = http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf |format=PDF| title = Volunteering at London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080411152620/http://static.zsl.org/files/volunteering-at-london-zoo-and-whipsnade-wild-animal-park-116.pdf  |archivedate = 11 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="goodzoos">{{cite web | url = http://www.goodzoos.com/UK%20Zoos/london.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.goodzoos.com/ Good Zoos] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Gardens of the Zoological Society Regent's Park 1828 - Project Gutenberg eText 11389.png|thumb|right|Bird's eye view of the gardens of the Zoological Society, circa 1828]]
[[File:View of the Zoological Gardens1835.jpg|right|thumb|1835 painting of the camel house.]]
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) was established by [[Stamford Raffles|Sir Stamford Raffles]] and [[Humphry Davy|Sir Humphry Davy]] in 1826,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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 5 July – his birthday.<ref name="goodzoos" /> After his death the [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne|third]] [[Marquess of Lansdowne|Marquis of Lansdowne]] took over the project and supervised the building of the first animal houses.<ref name="goodzoos" /> The zoo opened in April 1828 to fellows of the Society,<ref name="ZSL-history" /> providing access to species such as [[Arabian oryx]], [[greater kudu]]s, [[orangutan]] and the now extinct [[quagga]] and [[thylacine]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> The Society was granted a [[Royal Charter]] in 1829 by [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]], and in 1847 the zoo opened to the public to aid funding.<ref name="ZSL-history" /><ref name="placestogo">{{cite web | url = http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/London_Zoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/ Places to Go] | accessdate =11 March 2008}}</ref>

It was believed that [[tropics|tropical]] animals could not survive outside in London's cold weather and so they were all kept indoors until 1902, when [[Doctor (title)|Dr]] [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] was appointed secretary of the Society.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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 [[Zoological Garden of Hamburg|Hamburg Zoo]], and led to newer designs to many of the buildings.<ref name="goodzoos" /> Mitchell also envisaged a new {{convert|600|acre|adj=on}} park to the north of London, and in 1926 Hall Farm, near to [[Whipsnade|Whipsnade village]], was bought. In 1931 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park opened, becoming the world's first open zoological park.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> 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.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today the zoo participates in breeding programmes for over 130 species.<ref name="ZSL-history" />

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]].<ref name="goodzoos" />

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.<ref name="goodzoos" /> 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.<ref name="goodzoos" /><ref name="could-be-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1867,PR.html | title = It could be Zoo... | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =4 October 2007| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

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.

==Areas and attractions==
[[File:Pelecanus onocrotalus -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg|right|thumb|Three great white pelicans in their enclosure]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Group
! Number of species
! Number of individuals
|-
| [[Mammal]]s || 67 || 566
|-
| [[Bird]]s || 108 || 614
|-
| [[Reptile]]s || 58 || 173
|-
| [[Amphibian]]s || 25 || 727
|-
| [[Fish]] || 270 || 5130
|-
| [[Invertebrate]]s || 228 || 10278
|- class="sortbottom"
| Total || 756 || 17480<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/about-us/animal-inventory,649,AR.html|title=Animal inventory|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>
|}

===Land of the Lions===
Land of the Lions is a new enclosure for ZSL London Zoo's [[Asiatic lion]]s, which opened in Spring 2016 by HRH Queen Elizbeth II. The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and designed to resemble the [[Gir Forest National Park]] in India. The exhibit is also home to a troop of [[Hanuman langur]]s also a band of dwarf mongoose and shows how the lions' natural habitat overlaps with the local urban environments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/land-of-the-lions|title=Land of the Lions|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Tiger Territory===
Tiger Territory is ZSL London Zoo's [[Sumatran tiger]] enclosure, designed by architect Michael Kozdon<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture">{{cite news | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/mar/20/london-zoo-new-tiger-territory | last = Wainwright | first = Oliver | title = London Zoo's new Tiger Territory: built for the animals first, and visitors second | publisher = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | date = 20 March 2013 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and officially opened by HRH Duke of Edinburgh in March 2013. The zoo currently owns five tigers: a male named Jae Jae and a female named Melati
<ref name="sumatran-tigers-mail">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2219663/Two-Sumatran-tigers-crates-flown-new-home-London-Zoo-breeding-program.html | last = Allen | first = Emily | title = Handle with EXTREME care! Two Sumatran tigers put in crates and flown to new home at London Zoo as part of international breeding program | publisher = ''[[Daily Mail]]'' | date = 18 October 2012 | accessdate = 20 March 2013}}</ref> and their three cubs born in February 2014 (two males named Budi and Nakal, and a female named Cinta). The enclosure is 2,500 square metres (27,000 square feet) in size, and features authentic Indonesian plant life,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/tigers-mark-their-territory-at-the-zoo,996,NS.html</ref> as well as a net canopy of 3mm steel cable supported by four metal poles.

===Gorilla Kingdom===
Opened by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|HRH Duke of Edinburgh]] in March 2007, Gorilla Kingdom is home to a group of six [[western lowland gorilla]]s, and consists of a moated island with an indoor gym for the gorillas to use. London Zoo currently owns six gorillas: a silver-back male named Kumbuka,<ref>https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/theres-a-new-man-about-town,1078,NS.html</ref> three adult females named Zaire, Mjuuku and Effie, an infant female named Alika (the daughter of Mjuuku and Kumbuka), born in December 2014 and infant male born November 2015. The Gorilla Kingdom area also features smaller enclosures housing [[Diana monkey]]s, [[black and white colobus]], [[sooty mangabey]]s, Sulawesi crested macaques and [[Congo peafowl]].

===Into Africa===
Into Africa is an [[Africa]]-themed area that was opened in April 2006.<ref name="fitzpatrick">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning/meet-the-team/meet-the-keeper-malcolm-fitzpatrick-curator-of-mammals,371,AR.html | title = Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Curator of Mammals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Animals on display in this area include [[Chapman's zebra]]s, [[warthog]]s, [[okapi]], [[Rothschild's giraffe]]s, [[pygmy hippopotamus]]<ref name="eye-to-eye">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1808,PR.html | title = Come eye-to-eye with a Giraffe | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =31 March 2006| accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> and [[African wild dog]]s. The giraffe enclosure features a high level viewing platform to give the public face-to-face contact with the giraffes.

===Rainforest Life and Nightlife===
Rainforest Life is a walk-through indoor exhibit that houses several different species of [[rainforest]] animals. Among the species in the main forest walk-through are [[two-toed sloth]]s, [[golden-headed lion tamarin]]s, a female [[tamandua]] named Tammy, [[Titi|red titi monkey]]s, [[armadillo]]s, [[Geoffrey's marmoset]]s, [[cotton-top tamarin]]s, [[Goeldi's marmoset]]s and [[sunbittern]]s. The building also has a darkened area called "Nightlife", which houses nocturnal animals such as [[Seba's short-tailed bat]]s, [[slender loris]]es, [[potto]]s, [[Australian water rat]]s, [[Malagasy giant rat]]s and [[blind cave fish]].

===The Mappin Terraces/The Outback===
The Outback is an [[Australia]]-themed exhibit housing groups of [[emu]]s, [[Bennett's wallaby|Bennett's wallabies]] and [[red kangaroo]]s. The enclosure, which was originally called "The Mappin Terraces", was originally opened in 1913<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> and features an artificial rocky cliff made of concrete blocks for animal enrichment.

===The aquarium===
[[File:London Zoo, England -aquarium-24Oct2010.jpg|right|thumb|Aquarium]]
[[File:London Zoo 00936.jpg|thumb|right|A copperband butterflyfish in the coral reef hall]]
There has been an [[aquarium]] at the zoo since 1853, the zoo's first aquarium was also the world's first public aquarium.<ref name="aquarium-history">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/aquarium/the-history-of-the-aquarium,656,AR.html | title = The History of the Aquarium | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The word "aquarium" was coined by [[Philip Henry Gosse]] who had also created and stocked the first public aquarium at London Zoo.<ref name="aquarium-history" /> The current aquarium was built in 1921 next to the Mappin Terraces, and was officially opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] and his wife [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] in April 1924.

The aquarium is separated into three halls, each home to different types of fish and other aquatic wildlife. The first hall primarily contains freshwater species such as [[rudd]] and [[European eel]]s, as well as some saltwater species involved in various conservation projects and captive-breeding programmes, such as [[broad sea fan]]s and [[seahorses]]. The second hall displays various species of [[coral reef]] fish from around the world, such as [[clownfish]], [[copperband butterflyfish]] and [[regal tang]]s, as well as real coral. The third hall houses species native to the [[Amazon River]], including [[red-bellied piranha]]s, [[Pterophyllum|angelfish]], [[arapaima]]s and [[ocellate river stingray]]s. As well as the three halls, the aquarium also features the "Big Fish Tank", which contains large fish species that are all former pets, and had to be rescued because their owners did not have the proper equipment or understanding to look after them. The species in the Big Fish Tank include [[tambaqui]], [[catfish]] and [[Piaractus mesopotamicus|pirapitinga]].

===Animal Adventure===
Animal Adventure (formerly called the Ambika Paul Children's Zoo) opened in 2009 and is an area aimed primarily at children, featuring playgrounds and a water fountain. Many of the animals in Animal Adventure are domestic animals, such as sheep, donkeys, [[llama]]s, [[alpaca]]s, goats and ferrets, as well as rare breeds such as [[silkie chicken]]s, [[rex rabbit]]s and [[Kunekune|kunekune pigs]]. Exotic species on display include [[yellow mongoose]]s, [[crested porcupine]]s, [[aardvark]]s, [[prairie dogs]], [[ring-tailed coati]]s and one of the zoo's two groups of [[meerkat]]s (the other group live in an enclosure next to the Rainforest Life building). The meerkat enclosure features a tunnel that children can crawl through until they reach a see-through dome that allows them to see directly into the enclosure.

===The Reptile House===
One of London Zoo's most well-known buildings, the Reptile House opened in 1927 and was designed by [[Joan Beauchamp Procter]] and [[Sir Edward Guy Dawber]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> It houses several species of reptile, including [[Jamaican boa]], [[Philippine crocodile]]s, [[eastern diamondback rattlesnake]]s, [[black mamba]]s, [[rhinoceros iguana]]s, [[king cobra]]s, [[emerald tree boa]]s and [[Yemen chameleon]]s. In December 2012, a refurbished amphibian section was opened to the public, displaying amphibians such as [[African bullfrog]]s, [[axolotl]]s, [[caecillian]]s and various types of [[poison dart frog]].<ref>http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/reptile-house/amphibians/</ref>

===Giants of the Galápagos===
Giants of the Galápagos was opened in 2009 to coincide with the 200th birthday of [[Charles Darwin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/giants-of-the-galapagos/|title=Galapagos Tortoises|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref> and is home to five [[Galápagos giant tortoise]]s: a male named Dirk and four females named Dolly, Dolores, Polly and Priscilla. The exhibit features a large indoor area, with a heated pond and [[underfloor heating]], while the outdoor paddock has been designed to mimic the tortoise's natural environment and features two heated pools, one of which is a naturalistic clay wallow.

===Komodo dragons===
[[File:London Zoo 01050.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Raja, the male Komodo dragon]]
London Zoo's [[Komodo dragon]] enclosure was opened by [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]] in July 2004.<ref name="dragons-arrive">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/komodo-dragons-arrive,41,NS.html | title = Komodo Dragons Arrive | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =2 August 2004 | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> The zoo currently owns two Komodo dragons, a female named Rinka and a male named Raja. Their enclosure is designed to resemble the dragon's natural habitat of a dry river bed, and sounds of Indonesian birds are regularly played into the enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/komodo-dragons/|title=Komodo Dragon|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===B.U.G.S===
B.U.G.S (which stands for [[Biodiversity]] Underpinning Global Survival and formerly called Web of Life) is held in a building called The Millennium Conservation Centre, and aims to educate the public about biodiversity.<ref name="bugs">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/catch-up-with-the-b-u-g-s,122,EV.html | title = Catch up with the B.U.G.S! | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> The building displays over 140 species, the majority of which are invertebrates. They include [[leafcutter ant]]s, [[jewel wasp]]s, [[Golden Mantella|golden mantella frogs]], [[brown rat]]s, [[bird-eating spider]]s, [[naked mole rat]]s, [[leaf insect]]s, [[moon jellyfish]], [[Giant African land snail]]s, [[cave cricket]]s, [[fruit beetle]]s and [[black widow spider]]s. The Millennium Conservation Centre aims to be environmentally friendly, constructed from materials requiring little energy to produce, and generating its heating from the body heat of both the animals and visitors. In May 2015 an exhibit called In With The Spiders opened in B.U.G.S as Europe's first and only Spider walkthrough exhibit. It is home to many different types of Spiders including the black widow, huntsman, bird eating spiders and one of the UK's most endangered animals, the fen raft spider.<ref name="bugs" />

===Penguin Beach===
Penguin Beach opened in 2011 and houses seventy [[Humboldt penguin]]s, as well as a single male [[rockhopper penguin]] named Ricky. The pool itself is currently the largest penguin pool in an English zoo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/penguins/|title=Penguin Beach|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===In with the Lemurs===
Opened in March 2015, In with the Lemurs is a walk-through exhibit housing a troop of fifteen [[ring-tailed lemur]]s, as well as a single [[black and white ruffed lemur]]. The exhibit is designed to resemble a shrub forest in [[Madagascar]], featuring plant life such as [[loquat]] and [[Chusan palm]] trees.

===Meet the Monkeys===
Opened by comedians [[Noel Fielding]] and [[Julian Barratt]] of [[The Mighty Boosh]] in 2005,<ref name="monkey-walkthrough">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/meet-the-monkeys-walkthrough,792,AR.html | title = Meet the Monkeys Walkthrough | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref> Meet the Monkeys is a walk-through enclosure that houses a troop of 20 [[black-capped squirrel monkey]]s. The exhibit has no roof, and there are no boundaries between the monkeys and the visitors.<ref name="revolutionary-monkey">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/a-revolutionary-new-monkey-walk-through-at-london-zoo,113,NS.html | title = A revolutionary new monkey walkthrough at London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =7 March 2008}}</ref>

===Butterfly Paradise===
[[File:London Zoo Atlas Moth.jpg|right|thumb|An atlas moth in Butterfly Paradise]]
Opened in May 2006, Butterfly Paradise houses several different species of butterfly and moth from around the world, as well as plant species specially selected to provide nectar and breeding areas for the insects.<ref name="butterfly-paradise">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/butterfly-paradise,744,AR.html | title = Butterfly Paradise | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> Species on display include the [[Parthenos sylvia|clipper butterfly]], [[Morpho peleides|blue morpho butterfly]], [[atlas moth]], [[Heliconius charithonia|zebra longwing]], [[glasswing butterfly]] and [[Heliconius melpomene|postman butterfly]].<ref name="inventory" /> The exhibit also features a [[caterpillar]] hatchery and a pupa display cabinet, where visitors can witness different types of pupae and the development of new butterflies.<ref name="pupae">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise/pupae-and-breeding-room,746,AR.html | title = Pupae Breeding Room | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===African Bird Safari===
The African Bird Safari opened in 2005 as a redevelopment of the old stork and ostrich house, replacing three enclosures that were out of date by modern zoo-keeping standards.<ref name="african-bird-safari">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo//whats-on/african-bird-safari,285,AR.html | title = African Bird Sarafi | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> It is a walk-through exhibit housing various species of African birds including [[superb starling]]s, [[Von der Decken's hornbill]]s, [[Bernier's teal]]s, [[Abdim's stork]]s, [[blue-bellied roller]]s and [[lilac-breasted roller]]s.<ref name="african-bird-safari" /><ref name="pitter-patter">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/pitter-patter-of-webbed-feet-at-london-zoo,259,NS.html | title = Pitter Patter of Webbed Feet at ZSL London Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref>

===Snowdon Aviary===
[[File:Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, England-16Aug2009.jpg|right|thumb|The Snowdon Aviary]]
The Snowdon Aviary was designed by [[Cedric Price]], [[Frank Newby]] and [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon]], and was built in 1964.<ref name="ZSL-architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/zoo-architecture,103,AR.html | title = ZSL Architecture | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =6 March 2008}}</ref> A variety of birds have been kept in the aviary since it was opened, and it currently houses [[green peafowl]], [[sacred ibis]], [[little egret]]s, [[brolga]], [[cattle egret]]s, [[northern bald ibis]] and [[grey-headed gull]]s.

===Blackburn Pavilion===
The Blackburn Pavilion is a rainforest-themed tropical bird aviary that opened in March 2008, as a refurishment of the zoo's out-of-date bird house.<ref name="blackburn-pavilion">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html | title = Blackburn Pavilion | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref> The building was originally constructed in 1883, as a reptile house. The pavilion houses fifty different species of exotic birds, including [[Socorro dove]]s, [[amazilia hummingbird]]s (the only hummingbirds in a British zoo<ref name="new-bird-enclosure">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7306169.stm | title = London Zoo's new bird enclosure | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 20 March 2008| accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>), [[Mindanao bleeding-heart]]s, [[scarlet ibis]], [[toco toucan]]s, [[splendid sunbird]]s, [[pied avocet]]s and [[blue-winged kookaburra]]s. Outside the entrance is one of the pavilion's prominent features, a large elaborate clock by [[Tim Hunkin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timhunkin.com/a136_zoo-clock.htm|title=London Zoo Clock 2008|work=Tim Hunkin}}</ref> It gives a bird-themed display every thirty minutes throughout the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/blackburn-pavilion/blackburn-pavilion,850,AR.html|title=Blackburn Pavilion|work=Zoological Society of London (ZSL)}}</ref>

===Others===
Other notable animals in London Zoo's collection include [[black vulture]]s, [[greater flamingo]]s, [[vicuna]]s, [[Bactrian camel]]s, [[spectacled owl]]s, [[red-ruffed lemur]]s, [[African harrier hawk]]s, [[Malayan tapir]]s, [[burrowing owl]]s, [[white-cheeked gibbon]]s, [[military macaw]]s, [[Oriental small-clawed otter]]s, [[reindeer]], [[giant anteater]]s, [[Rüppell's vulture]]s, [[Bornean bearded pig]]s, [[Rodrigues fruit bat]]s, [[Chinese giant salamander]]s and [[great white pelican]]s.

==Future developments==
The zoo plans to create better accessibility, which will involve relocating the main entrance to the east, adjacent to the Broad Walk in Regent's Park.<ref name="terryfarrell">{{cite web | url = http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html | title = London Zoo Masterplan | publisher = [http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk Terry Farrell and Partners] | accessdate =11 March 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080204191933/http://www.terryfarrell.co.uk/projects/relaxing/relax_londonZoo.html  |archivedate = 4 February 2008}}</ref>{{update after|2013|12}}

==Notable former animals==
[[File:Quagga London Zoo.jpg|thumb|left|The only photographs taken of a living [[quagga]] were taken of a [[mare]] at London Zoo between 1864 and 1870.]]
Throughout its history the zoo has had many well-known residents. These may have been scientifically important individuals or simply beloved by the public.

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. Another now extinct species the zoo held was a number of [[thylacine]]s, or "[[Tasmania]]n tigers".<ref name="famous-animals">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/discovery-learning//zoo-world/famous-animals,98,AR.html | title = Famous animals | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Obaysch]] was the first [[hippopotamus]] to be seen in Europe since the Roman Empire, and the first in England since prehistoric times. The hippo arrived at London Zoo in May 1850 as a gift from the [[Khedive|Ottoman Viceroy]] of Egypt in exchange for some greyhounds and deerhounds. Obaysch led to a doubling of the zoo's visitors that year.<ref name="cusack">{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewcusack.com/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |title=Obaysch the Hippo |publisher=[http://www.andrewcusack.com/ Andrew Cusack] |date=24 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20081207074351/http://www.andrewcusack.com:80/blog/2007/12/obaysch_the_hippo.php |archivedate=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

In 1865, [[Jumbo]], the largest [[elephant]] known at the time, was transferred to the zoo from [[Jardin des Plantes]] in Paris. His name, possibly from ''Jambo'', [[Swahili language|Swahili]] for ''hello'', became an epithet for anything of large size, such as [[Boeing]]'s [[Boeing 747|747]] [[Wide-body aircraft|Jumbo jet]]. He became aggressive in old age, and had to stop giving rides; he was sold to [[P. T. Barnum|Phineas Barnum]]'s circus, the [[Barnum & Bailey Circus]], in 1882, where he was later crushed by a [[locomotive]] and killed.<ref name="victorian-london">{{cite web | url = http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm | title = London Zoo | publisher = [http://www.victorianlondon.org/ Victorian London] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

[[Winnipeg (bear)|Winnipeg the Bear]] (or Winnie) was an [[American black bear]] given to the zoo in 1914 by a Canadian [[lieutenant]], [[Harry Colebourn]]. [[A. A. Milne]] visited with his son [[Christopher Robin Milne|Christopher Robin]], and the boy was so enamoured with the bear Milne wrote the famous series of books for him entitled ''[[Winnie-the-Pooh]]''.<ref name="famous-animals" /> A [[2004 in film|2004 film]] ''A Bear Named Winnie'' is based on the story of Winnie the bear, with [[Michael Fassbender]] playing Harry Colebourn.<ref name="bear-named-winnie">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437088/ | title = A Bear Named Winnie | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =27 March 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Guy the Gorilla statue.jpg|right|thumb|A bronze statue of Guy in Barclay Court]]
[[Guy the Gorilla|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 zoo's best-loved residents.<ref name="guy">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/guy-the-gorilla-a-life-remembered,409,NS.html | title = Guy the Gorilla: A Life Remembered | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref> After years of trying to find a mate, in 1969 five-year-old Lomie arrived from [[Chessington Zoo]]. They were kept separated for a year to adjust to each other, until they were finally united. Although they got on well together they never produced any offspring. In 1982 Guy was commemorated by a [[bronze]] statue in Barclay Court, sculpted by [[William Timym]].<ref name="guy" />

On 27 November 1949 [[List of non-fictional bears#Brumas|Brumas]] became the first [[polar bear]] to be successfully bred at the zoo, and immediately became a major attraction with the public. This led to the zoo's annual attendance to rise to over 3 million in 1950 - a figure that has yet to be topped. Although a female, the press reported that she was a 'he' and this was not corrected at the time, leading the public to believe the bear was a male.<ref name="famous-animals" /> Eighteen years later, on 1 December 1967 the second polar bear bred at the zoo, this time a male, was born. He was named Pipaluk ([[Inuit language|Inuit]] for ''little one'') but, in 1985, had to leave the zoo when the Mappin Terraces closed.

One of the zoo's most famous [[giant panda]]s, [[Chi Chi (giant panda)|Chi Chi]], arrived in 1958. Although originally destined for an American zoo, [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] had ceased all trade with [[communism|communist]] China and so Chi Chi was refused entry to the United States. In the interests of conservation, ZSL had stated they would not encourage the collection of wild pandas. However, when it was pointed out that Chi Chi had already been collected, her purchase was approved, and she immediately become the star attraction at London Zoo. As the only giant panda in the west she was the inspiration of [[Peter Scott]]'s design for the [[World Wildlife Fund]] logo. In July 1972, Chi Chi died and was publicly mourned.<ref name="goodzoos" />
The zoo's last giant panda was Ming Ming. She arrived in 1991 on a breeding loan from China. After unsuccessful breeding attempts with Berlin's Zoo giant panda Bao Bao it had been decided to return Ming Ming to China, leaving the London Zoo without a giant panda since the end of October 1994. Zoo staff later suggested that Chinese zookeepers knew that she was infertile and lent her in order to hide how much more advanced Western husbandry techniques were compared to theirs.<ref name="Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)">{{cite web|last1=Knight|first1=Sam|title=Everything you always wanted to know about panda sex (but were afraid to ask)|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/25/everything-about-panda-sex-edinburgh-zoo-long-read|website=The Guardian|accessdate=2 September 2015}}</ref>

For four days in late August 2005, the zoo ran an exhibit entitled the [[Human zoo|Human Zoo]], which put eight [[human]]s on display in the Mappin Terraces. The idea behind the exhibit was to demonstrate the basic nature of man as an animal and examine the impact we have on the animal kingdom.<ref name="BBC-human-zoo">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4184466.stm | title = Humans strip bare for zoo exhibit | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 25 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="ZSL-human-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/the-human-zoo,180,NS.html | title = The Human Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 17 August 2005 | accessdate =3 March 2008}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Penguin pool, London Zoo, England-24Oct2010 (6).jpg|right|thumb|Penguin Pool, a Grade I listed building]]
[[File:Penguin Pool, London Zoo.JPG|thumb|Penguin Pool]]
Since its earliest days, the zoo has prided itself on appointing leading [[architect]]s to design its buildings, today it holds two Grade I, and eight Grade II [[Listed building|listed structures]].<ref name="architecture">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/news/architecture-at-the-zoo,271,NS.html | title = Architecture at the Zoo | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date = 15 June 2006 | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

The initial grounds were laid out in 1828 by [[Decimus Burton]], the zoo's first official architect from 1826 to 1841, made famous for his work on the [[London Colosseum]] and [[Marble Arch]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> Burton's work began with the Clock Tower in 1828 above what was then the llama house, which today is the first aid kiosk.<ref name="architecture" /> In 1830 the East Tunnel, which linked the north and south parts of the zoo together for the first time, was completed, which also acted as a bomb shelter during [[World War II]].<ref name="ZSL-architecture"/> Burton concluded his work in 1837 with the Giraffe House, which, due to its functional design, still remains in use as the zoo's giraffe enclosure in the ''Into Africa'' exhibit.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" />

After Burton, [[Peter Chalmers Mitchell|Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell]] and [[John James Joass]] were appointed to design the Mappin Terraces. Completed in 1914, the Mappin Terraces imitates a mountain landscape to provide a naturalistic habitat for bears and other mountain wildlife. In 1933 the Round House, designed by [[Berthold Lubetkin]]'s [[Tecton Group|Tecton Architectural Group]] to house gorillas, was one of the first [[Modern architecture|modernist]] style buildings to be built in Britain. The following year the Penguin Pool, also designed by Tecton, was opened; both are now grade I listed.<ref name="design-museum">{{cite web | url = http://www.designmuseum.org/design/berthold-lubetkin | title = Berthold Lubetkin | publisher = [[Design Museum]] | accessdate =26 March 2008}}</ref> The Modernist dual concrete spiral ramps of the Penguin Pool have made it famous, but during a 2004 refurbishment the penguins took a strong liking to the duck pond they had been temporarily relocated to, and they were moved out of the Penguin Pool permanently.<ref name="architectuul-penguins">{{cite web | url = http://architectuul.com/architecture/penguin-pool-london-zoo | title = Penguin Pool, London Zoo | publisher = Architectuul | accessdate = 10 March 2013}}</ref>

The Snowdon Aviary, built in 1964 by [[Cedric Price]], [[Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon|Lord Snowdon]] and [[Frank Newby]], made pioneering use of [[aluminium]] and [[tension (physics)|tension]] for support. A year later the Casson Pavilion, designed by Sir [[Hugh Casson]] and Neville Conder, was opened as an elephant and rhinoceros house.<ref name="ZSL-architecture" /> The Pavilion was commissioned "to display these massive animals in the most dramatic way" and designed to evoke a herd of elephants gathered around a watering hole.<ref name="tiger-territory-architecture" />

==Cultural references==

===In film and television===
[[File:Harry Potter at London Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] with a [[Burmese python]] in the Reptile House]]
[[File:Andrew Sachs, audio description of London Zoo.ogg|thumb|Audio description of the London Zoo by [[Andrew Sachs]].]]
Many films and television programmes have made use of London Zoo as a film set.<ref name="commercial-filming">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/corporate/commercial-filming-photography-and-unit-base-car-parking,579,AR.html | title = Commercial Filming and Photography | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>

*In 1947, [[Carol Reed]] took his film crew and actors [[Ralph Richardson]]; [[Michèle Morgan]] and [[Bobby Henrey]] to London Zoo to film location scenes there for ''[[The Fallen Idol (film)|The Fallen Idol]]'' (released in 1948). Scenes were filmed inside the lion house and the reptile house and on the Mappin Terraces. Today, the scenes give an historic view of what the zoo looked like in the immediate post war years.
*A scene from the film ''[[The Pumpkin Eater]]'' ([[1964 in film|1964]]) with [[Anne Bancroft]] and [[James Mason]] was also set at the zoo.<ref name="travelguidelondon">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |title=To the London Zoo! |publisher=[http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/ Travel Guide London] |date=31 December 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140714222450/http://www.travelguidelondon.co.uk/places-and-tourist-sites/to-the-london-zoo.html |archivedate=14 July 2014 }}</ref>
*During ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]'' ([[1981 in film|1981]]), the lead character David Kessler (played by [[David Naughton (actor)|David Naughton]]) woke up naked in the wolves' enclosure. Several other animals are also seen and one can clearly see the old caged enclosures of the tigers and apes.<ref name="werewolf">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/trivia | title = An American Werewolf in London (1981): Trivia | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
* Part of film ''[[Turtle Diary]]'' ([[1985 in film|1985]]), based on the novel by [[Russell Hoban]] and starring [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[Glenda Jackson]], was also filmed here; the film follows a plan to help two of the turtles escape from the zoo.<ref name="turtle-diary">{{cite web | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090219/locations | title = Turtle Diary (1985): Filming Locations | publisher = [[IMDb]] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>
*In the final scene from the film ''[[Withnail and I]]'' ([[1987 in film|1987]]), a sad Withnail is shown standing in the pouring rain next to the former wolf enclosure, declaiming the speech [[What a piece of work is a man]] from ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref name="withnail">{{cite news | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2697992.ece | title = They’re back for one more bender: Withnail and I get together again | publisher = [[Times Online]] | date = 20 October 2007 | accessdate =5 March 2008 | author = Jack Malvern | location=London}}</ref>
*In the Disney film, ''[[101 Dalmatians (1996 film)|101 Dalmatians]]'' ([[1996 in film|1996]]), the zoo was mentioned in the news.
*In 2000,<ref name="ign-potter">{{cite web | url = http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/034/034135p1.html | title = Potter set news & pics | publisher = [[IGN]] | date =15 November 2000| accessdate =28 March 2008}}</ref> the [[Burmese python]] scene from the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' ([[2001 in film|2001]]) 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 [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] beside the enclosure commemorates the event.<ref name="harry-potter">{{cite web | url = http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/harry_potter1.html | title = Filming locations for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | publisher = [http://www.movie-locations.com/ Movie Locations] | accessdate =5 March 2008}}</ref>



===In literature===
*In [[Charlie Higson]]'s [[post-apocalyptic]] young adult [[Horror (genre)|horror]] novel [[The Enemy (Higson novel)|''The Enemy'']] (2009), a group of children who'd formerly taken refuge in [[Waitrose]] and [[Morrisons]] supermarkets make a perilous journey through an overgrown [[Regent's Park]] ''en route'' to [[Buckingham Palace]]. In the park, they are attacked by fearless and aggressive diseased monkeys, which have escaped from the London Zoo and which injure and kill some of the children.

===In music===
*[[Duran Duran]] filmed parts of the music video for their song "[[Come Undone (Duran Duran song)|Come Undone]]" (1993) at the London Zoo Aquarium section.
*The music video for the [[Talk Talk]] song "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)|It's My Life]]" was filmed at London Zoo in 1984. The video was used as a statement against the banality of [[lip-sync]]ing and includes mostly footage from [[nature documentary|nature documentaries]] with shots of [[lead singer]] [[Mark Hollis (English musician)|Mark Hollis]] in the zoo keeping his mouth shut, obscured by hand-drawn animated lines.

===In television===


*In the "Exploitin" episode of the [[List of Absolutely Fabulous episodes#Series 5 (2003)|fifth series]] of ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'', Edina and Patsy steal Saffy's new-born infant for a [[Jean-Paul Gaultier]] fashion shoot at the zoo.<ref name="commercial-filming" />
*A couple of scenes were filmed here for the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] series ''[[Primeval]]'' (2007-2011). The first was a confrontation between [[Helen Cutter]] and [[Claudia Brown]] in the old elephant house. The second was a brief scene that showed [[Abby Maitland]] with a Komodo dragon. Although the fictional Wellington Zoo played a large role in the episode, most scenes were filmed at [[Whipsnade Zoo]].<ref name="commercial-filming" />

==References==
{{Reflist |colwidth=30em |refs=
<ref name="corporate-events">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/corporate-and-private-events/
|title=ZSL Corporate and Private Events
|work=zsl.org
|publisher=[[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]]
|accessdate=3 March 2008
}}
</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
{{ZooOrg|waza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="eaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|eaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

<ref name="biaza_list">
{{ZooOrg|biaza|zoos|accessdate=24 April 2012}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo London Zoo website]
* [http://www.zsl.org/ Zoological Society of London website]
* [http://source.ie/sourcephoto/?p=698/ Article and film about the London Zoo archive]
* [http://static.zsl.org/files/zsl06-07-report-355.pdf ZSL Annual Review]
* [http://www.zsl.org/field-conservation/bushmeat-and-forest/ ZSL Bushmeat and Forest Conservation]
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/londonzoo.htm London Zoo in the 19th century]
* [http://www.britishzoos.co.uk/londonzoo/ London Zoo at British Zoos]
* [http://www.zsl.org/conservation/about-conservation/conservation-policy/2050/stories-for-our-children-the-world-in-2050,30,GAL.html Status of the planet by ZSL]

{{ZSL}}
{{British zoos}}
{{London landmarks}}

[[Category:1828 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Aviaries]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Cultural and educational buildings in London]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade I listed zoo buildings]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in London]]
[[Category:Regent's Park]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Zoological Society of London]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1828]]
[[Category:Zoos in England]]
[[Category:London Zoo| ]]