The London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo, located in the heart of London. Founded in 1828, the zoo houses over 17,000 animals from around the world, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Visitors can explore the zoo's many exhibits
London Zoo, previously known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens and sometimes called Regent's Park Zoo, is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828 and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1831, the Tower of London menagerie animals were transferred to the zoo's collection. It was opened to the public in 1847. At its peak, the Zoo attracted over 3 million annual visitors and exhibited over 900 species. As of 2025, London Zoo still houses more than 8,000 individuals from over 300 species, making it one of the largest zoological collections in the United Kingdom.