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London Zoo
London Zoo 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 animals.
It is managed under the auspices of the Zoological Society of London, and is situated at the northern end of Regent's Park (the Regent's Canal runs through it) a short walk from Camden Underground Station. 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 the new "Into Africa" and "Butterfly Paradise" exhibits opened easter 2006 and new Gorilla Kingdom and South American Rainforest exhibits are underway and due to open easter 2007.
London Zoo was home to the only living quagga ever to be photographed which is now extinct. Other Famous animals which have appeared at the Zoo include 'Winnie' the American Black Bear given to the zoo by a Canadian Lieutenant in 1914. 'Obaysch' 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 which was the largest elephant known at the time. And 'Guy' a lowland gorilla who lived at the zoo from 1947.
In August 2005 there was a four-day exhibit entitled "Human Zoo" where Human Beings, Homo Sapiens where put on display in garments such as fig leaves.
Many films and television programmes have been filmed at London Zoo including the famous reptile house scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Zoo)
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