What is the world's oldest scientific zoo?

London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on April 27, 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 756 species of animals, with 17,480 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom. The zoo is sometimes called Regent's Zoo.

It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park, on the boundary line between the City of Westminster and the borough of Camden (the Regent's Canal runs through it). The 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).

More Info: www.wikipedia.org

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20 Comments

Val Wilkinson

May Tuan Tucker, PHD, Lovely - but please read the question.

Val Wilkinson

Ketan Patel, maybe youhad an elephant ride as a child as well? I did. Also, Pipaluk the polar bear cub.

Andrew McFee

Janice Ingram, smallish compared to what? Suppose some Yank has a bigger one in their back garden!

Anne Williams

I guessed incorrectly. Thank you for the question.

ninakamwene

Lucky guess

Bob Whitehead

Zsl whipsnade is it’s brother in Bedfordshire big open spaces

Janette Will

Knew this.

Janice Ingram

It's a nice but smallish zoo.

Chris Braid

Never heard it called Regent's Zoo. Regent's Park Zoo is a pretty common alternative name for it though.

Steve Tingle

No doubt there are many zoological collections older than London (or Regent's Park Zoo) but as has been pointed out it was the first set up for scientific purposes, most older ones were set up as rich man's playthings, there was a zoo of sorts in the Tower of London which predated Regent's Park by centuries, now all it has are Ravens and humans.