When Did London Zoo Open?

The London Zoo developed out of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1826. At first, the society existed purely for research purposes, attracting some of the brightest minds of the day. Charles Darwin, for instance, became a member of the ZSL in 1837. The London Zoo opened in 1847.

  1. Royal Charter

    • The ZSL was officially charted in 1826, by King George IV.

    Opening for the Public

    • The London Zoo officially opened to the public in 1847. This was done to increase funding for research and conservation projects.

    Expansion

    • Between 1926 and 1928, the zoo expanded to include 600 acres of an abandoned farm. This new addition was dubbed the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, as the property was located near the village of Whipsnade.

    Notable Achievements

    • The London Zoo is known for breeding animals in captivity. In 1962 it helped launched the first inter-zoo captive breeding program in history by sending an Arabian oryx named "Caroline" to the Phoenix Zoo. The zoo was also the first to successfully breed cheetahs in Europe, which it accomplished in 1967.

    The London Zoo Today

    • Today the London Zoo and its Whipsnade facility boast nearly 700 different species of animals and 130 animal breeding programs.