London Zoo
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London Zoo was the world's first scientific zoo. Opened in 1828, and originally intended as a collection for scientific study, it was eventually made open to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of more than 650 different species of animals.
It is managed under the auspices of the Zoological Society of London, and is situated at the northern end of Regent's Park, London (the Regent's Canal runs through it). The Society also has a more spacious site at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park in Bedfordshire and the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved there.
As well as being the first scientific zoo, London Zoo also opened the first Reptile House (1849), first public Aquarium (1853), first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo in 1938.
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Architecture
Since its earliest days, the zoo has prided itself on appointing leading architects to design its buildings. These include:
- the Clock Tower (1828, originally built to house llamas) and the Giraffe House (1836-1837) by Decimus Burton (both Grade II listed buildings)
- the Mappin Terraces (1913-1914) by Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell and John James Joass (listed Grade II).
- the Penguin Pool (1934),
- the Round House (built 1932-1933 to house the zoo's gorillas) and
- the North Gate Kiosk (1936) - all by Berthold Lubetkin's Tecton firm, with inputs on the Penguin Pool from leading structural engineer Ove Arup (the first two structures are now listed Grade I, kiosk Grade II)
- the Snowdon aviary (1962-1964) by Lord Snowdon, Cedric Price and Frank Newby
- the Elephant and Rhino House (1962-1965) designed by Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Conder. (Now no longer considered suitable for these large creatures.)
Filming at London Zoo
Many films and television programmes have been filmed at London Zoo, the most famous being the reptile house scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. (Note the corresponding scene from the original novel couldn't have taken place in the London Zoo, because later on it was stated that Harry had never been to London.)
Famous Animals
- Winnie the Pooh : In 1914 the Zoo was given an American Black Bear by a Canadian Lieutenant. The famous author A.A. Milne visited with his son Christopher Robin, the boy was so enamoured with the bear Milne wrote the famous series of books for him.
- Obaysch : When 'Obaysch' arrived at London Zoo it became the first hippo to be seen in Europe since the Roman Empire.
External link
- London Zoo Website (http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/)nl:London Zoo