was the world's first scientific Zoo . It was opened in 1828 , and was originally intended to be used 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 Animal s.
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 .
The zoo is currently undergoing a massive renovation project aimed at replacing cages with enclosures which recreate the animals' natural environments, giving a better lifestyle to the animals, and a more realistic experience to visitors. For example, a new african rainforest, african savanna, and insect exhibit are underway. BBC News story .
Since its earliest days, the zoo has prided itself on appointing leading Architect s to design its buildings. These include:
- the Clock Tower (1828, originally built to house Llama s) and the Giraffe House (1836-1837) by Decimus Burton (both Grade II Listed Building s)
- 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 Gorilla s) 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 Penguin Pool is no longer considered suitable for penguins, so the birds have been moved to a pool elsewhere in the zoo. As of summer 2005, Lubetkin's structure was home to two African Porcupine s, and the zoo was considering options for its long-term use.
- 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.)
Many Film s and Television Programme s 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.)
- London Zoo was home to the only living Quagga ever to be photographed along with a number of Thylacine . Both species are now Extinct .
- 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.
- Goldie , a Golden Eagle , became a national celebrity when he escaped for two weeks in 1965.
- Jumbo : in 1880 the largest elephant known at the time. His name has become an epithet for anything of large size.
- Guy The Gorilla , a lowland gorilla who lived at the Zoo from 1947 until his death in 1978 and in his later years became one of its best-loved residents.
- Human Beings , ''Homo sapiens sapiens''. A four-day exhibit entitled the " Human Zoo " ran in late August 2005, with people put on display in such garments as fig leaves. (see zoo website, {Link without Title} )
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