London Zoo

Coordinates: 51°32′08.39″N, 00°09′21.51″W

ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London 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 651 species of animals.

It is managed under the auspices of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826), and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park (the Regent's Canal runs through it). The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.

As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853), first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

The zoo is currently (2007) undergoing a renovation project aimed at replacing cages with enclosures which recreate animals' natural environments, giving a better lifestyle to the animals, and a more realistic experience to visitors. For example, in 2005 the African Bird Safari and Meet The Monkeys walkthroughs opened and then in 2006 the new "Into Africa" and "Butterfly Paradise" exhibits opened, while at Easter 2007 the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new "Gorilla Kingdom" and "Clore Rainforest Lookout" a walkthrough rainforest replacing the small mammals building. In Easter 2008 the Bird House will reopen as a tropical rainforest, home to a variety of birdscitation needed].

The closest London Underground stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm.