Rare monkey born at ZSL London Zoo
Visitors to ZSL London Zoo this half-term will be able to see an adorable baby white-naped mangabey – one of the rarest primates in the world.
ZSL
Baby porcupine makes prickly debut at ZSL London Zoo
Keepers have shared the first images and video of an adorable baby porcupine, known as a porcupette, born at ZSL London Zoo last month.
Annual seal survey highlights Thames’ importance
Marine biologists from ZSL have been scanning the shorelines and sandbanks of the Thames Estuary, as part of their annual seal survey to assess the current population of harbour and grey seals.
Tiny hippo newest arrival for Edinburgh Zoo
A tiny endangered pygmy hippo calf has been born at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo – arriving just in time for the wildlife conservation charity to reopen its gates to visitors.
Discover Tiny Giants at ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is inviting visitors to enter the world of Tiny Giants: From Minibeasts to Coral Reefs from Monday 17th May as it launches a brand new indoor experience.
Wildlife parks and zoos to reopen
With the welcome news that wildlife parks and zoos can reopen this month, we take a look at what’s happening where and report on our favourite places to visit to discover animals.
Tails from the Zoo – extra dates added!
ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have extended their popular virtual story events until the end of March, offering families a unique opportunity to hear much-loved animal tales at bedtime. Giving the country’s home-schooling heroes a night off, zookeepers will read a series of six well-loved and new titles by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, kicking … Read more
Giraffe calf born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo welcomed a six-foot-tall giraffe calf to the world last week on what staff are calling a ‘day of hope’. The female calf, born to mum Luna following a 15-month gestation period, arrived during the early hours of Tuesday 8th December – the same day the first COVID-19 vaccine was given to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan. In recognition of the … Read more
Where to discover animals this half-term and Halloween
Witches and wizards, creatures of the night and gruesome creepy-crawlies; read our pick of the best places to visit to keep your little horrors entertained this Halloween and half-term holiday! Please note: all venues covered in this guide require tickets to be booked in advance – see individual websites for further details. Join West Midland Safari Park … Read more
Okapi baby born at ZSL London Zoo
Oni the okapi, who featured in last week’s ITV documentary, London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year, has delighted zookeepers by giving birth to a healthy baby girl. The second-time mum went into labour late on Sunday 20th September before giving birth to the adorable calf – given the name ‘Ede’ by zookeepers – the following morning. Dedicated keepers kept a watchful eye overnight on CCTV as Oni went into labour, before tiny hooves and stripy legs began to emerge 12 hours later. The wide-eyed calf took its first wobbly steps within minutes and … Read more
TV star sea lions prepare to head north
A colony of sea lions famous for appearing in a television documentary about life at two Zoological Society of London zoos will be heading to a new home in Yorkshire later this year. The six sea lions – male Dominic, 13, and females, Lara, 12, and Bailey,13, and two-year-old youngsters, Hanno, Oakley and Maui – … Read more
Early arrival for sloth baby at ZSL London Zoo
A two-toed baby sloth named Truffle is the newest arrival at ZSL London Zoo. Native to the rainforests of South America, sloths are famous for being slow-moving. However, eager to make an appearance, Truffle surprised keepers by arriving a few weeks earlier than expected. Born to parents Marilyn and Leander on Thursday 13th August, the … Read more
New otters make perfect pair at Whipsnade
A pair of Asian short-clawed otters have been ‘otterly inseparable’ since being introduced to each other by keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo two weeks ago. Six-year-old Ernie and two-year-old Carol arrived from separate UK collections as part of a breeding programme for the vulnerable species, with keepers hopeful they will produce young soon. Since arriving, two … Read more
Sir David Attenborough fronts TV appeal to save ZSL
“ZSL’s work is vital in driving forward a vision of a world where wildlife thrives, but ZSL now faces its toughest challenge to date – the national institution is now itself, at risk of extinction.” Sir David Attenborough is fronting a TV appeal to save conservation charity Zoological Society of London (ZSL) “from extinction”. The … Read more
Zoos get ready to welcome back visitors
Following the government’s announcement that zoos can reopen to visitors from Monday 15th June, staff at ZSL’s London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo have been busy preparing to welcome guests back through their gates. After three months of closure and lost revenue, numerous measures are now in place to ensure that the Zoos are safe, inspiring … Read more
Rare wild horse born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The arrival of an endangered Przewalski’s wild horse foal has been greeted with much excitement by keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo who shared the first images of the youngster this week. Born to mum Charlotte behind closed gates on 13th April, during the nationwide lockdown, the female foal is doing well and often seen racing around … Read more
London’s hedgehog hotspots revealed
A recent survey conducted by scientists from ZSL (Zoological Society of London)’s London HogWatch programme and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has revealed a mixed picture for native hedgehogs across the capital. The research, carried out over a two-week period in 2019, involved placing hundreds of cameras in several green spaces across London, from … Read more
Where to discover animals this February half term
Looking for wildlife inspired days out with the kids next week? We’ve selected some great places to visit for unusual experiences this holiday. Children visiting ZSL London Zoo are in for a treat this half-term holiday as they get the chance to go behind the scenes and find out what it takes to be a zoo vet for … Read more
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo completes its annual stocktake
Each year, keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo take on the mammoth task of counting every animal for their annual stocktake – a process every zoological collection in Britain undertakes as a zoo license requirement. Home to over 2,500 animals, Whipsnade is the UK’s largest Zoo and last week keepers dusted off their clipboards and calculators … Read more
Explore a fascinating world beneath the waves
A brand new coral reef exhibit is due to open at ZSL London Zoo this year, following the closure in 2019 of the Zoo’s aquarium after almost 100 years in operation. Visitors will be able to journey under the sea into a fascinating world of coral to find out all about these incredible invertebrates and … Read more
Seasonal surprises for the animals at London Zoo
Christmas arrived early for the animals at ZSL London Zoo as keepers treated their residents to a selection of festive treats earlier this week. The Zoo’s mischievous troop of Bolivian black-capped squirrel monkeys woke up to find a new Christmas climbing frame under the trees, decorated with edible gifts – while Sumatran tiger Asim pounced … Read more
A Christmas star is born at ZSL London Zoo
Keepers at ZSL London Zoo are celebrating the Christmas arrival of a baby tamandua. This is the third pup for mum Ria who welcomed her newborn, along with dad Tobi, on Friday 13th December following a 150-day pregnancy. ZSL keeper Steve Goodwin said: “We’ve all been waiting excitedly for the baby’s arrival so when Ria … Read more
Baby rhino makes festive debut at Whipsnade Zoo
Keepers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo are celebrating the birth of a baby rhino this week, with the bundle of joy arriving just in time for Christmas! Born to parents Behan and Hugo on December 8th, the female greater one-horned rhino weighed 70kg on arrival – more than twenty times the average human baby! The new … Read more
ZSL launch underwater virtual reality experience
International conservation charity ZSL has launched a brand-new underwater virtual reality experience at London Bridge. Using a custom made viewfinder, Londoners can now dive beneath the surface of the River Thames to see sharks, seals and eels – without getting their hair wet! Developed by Somewhere Else and BYO using Timescope technology, the experience gives … Read more
Red-kneed tarantula celebrates Day of the Dead
To mark South America’s Day of the Dead this Saturday 2nd November, keepers at ZSL London Zoo added a colourful sugar skull decoration to Mexican red-kneed spider Tilly’s home. Native to Mexico and Panama, the Mexican red-kneed spider can reach a leg span of between five and six inches when fully grown. The female of … Read more
ZSL launch London pop-up to tackle illegal wildlife trade
International conservation charity Zoological Society of London (ZSL) launched a brand-new pop-up experience in London this week. Based within a store just off Carnaby Street, the initiative is part of ZSL’s For People. For Wildlife. UK Aid Match appeal which aims to raise vital funds to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. Made from recycled card, … Read more