London Zoo

London Zoo
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Date opened	27 April 1828
Location	Regent's Park, London, England
Land area	36 acres
No. of animals	19,289 (as of 2023)
No. of species	673
Annual visitors	1,200,000 (2019)
Memberships	British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Website	www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

London Zoo, officially known as the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo, is one of the world's oldest scientific zoos. It was opened in Regent's Park, London, on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1847, it was opened to the public. Today, it houses a collection of 19,289 individual animals, representing 673 species, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

History

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) was founded in April 1826 by Sir Stamford Raffles, who was also the first president of the society. The zoo was established to promote the study of animals and their conservation. Initially, the zoo was intended for scientific research, but it was opened to the public in 1847 to help fund its operations.

Throughout its history, London Zoo has been a pioneer in the field of zoology. It was the first zoo to open a Reptile House in 1849, an Insect House in 1881, and an Aquarium in 1853. The zoo also opened the world's first children's zoo in 1938.

Exhibits

London Zoo is home to a wide variety of exhibits, each designed to replicate the natural habitats of the animals it houses. Some of the most notable exhibits include:

• Gorilla Kingdom: Opened in 2007, this exhibit provides a naturalistic environment for a group of western lowland gorillas.
• Tiger Territory: This exhibit, opened in 2013, is home to Sumatran tigers and is designed to mimic the dense forests of Sumatra.
• Land of the Lions: Opened in 2016, this exhibit recreates the Gir Forest National Park in India and is home to a pride of Asiatic lions.
• Penguin Beach: The largest penguin pool in England, home to a colony of Humboldt penguins.

Conservation and Research

London Zoo is heavily involved in conservation and research efforts. The Zoological Society of London runs numerous conservation programs worldwide, focusing on species such as the Amur leopard, Asian elephant, and African wild dog. The zoo also participates in breeding programs for endangered species and conducts research in animal behavior, genetics, and veterinary science.

Education

As a leading institution in zoological education, London Zoo offers a variety of educational programs for schools, families, and adults. These programs aim to inspire and educate visitors about wildlife conservation and the importance of biodiversity.

Also see

• Zoological Society of London
• Regent's Park
• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
• History of zoos
• Conservation biology