ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024
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Think I read that was a potential plan for the old reptile house, it’s a listed building so they can’t do too much to it in terms of retrofitting for exhibiting other species.
The old Reptile House is not a listed building
I believe the present plans are for it to be more of an orientation centre/family space than a museum, though that isn't to say that some of the (very extensive) collections won't be put on display.
I have a feeling that the 'History Hive' project may go in there, as an exhibition in 2026. I don't think the Library would really be a suitable space.
History Hive Project | The Zoological Society of London (zsl.org)
I have a feeling that the 'History Hive' project may go in there, as an exhibition in 2026. I don't think the Library would really be a suitable space.
History Hive Project | The Zoological Society of London (zsl.org)
Which may perhaps explain the “museum” references
Panda_Fan
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Is this "museum" project temporary?
If so, I would be curious to know what the zoo will do to the building. It's not listed, so maybe they could do something unique with it.
As I say, the plans are, I think, for an orientation/family space. What that means in practice, your guess is as good as mine!
Panda_Fan
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Cool the use the space for their bicentenary, but we'll have to wait until 2026 for that.
Are there any renovations on mind?
Dr. Loxodonta
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The latest ZSL Annual Report is now available, of note:
An expansion of Gorilla Kingdom in 2025, with the tentative potential to introduce a group of Black-Crested Mangabey into the exhibit. Those with long memories may remember the original intention when the exhibit first opened was to have Colobus mixed with the gorillas
Rebranding and reimagining the Reptile House as an interactive learning space called “Zoo Town” which, personally, brought back cringeworthy memories of when the zoo briefly rebranded the Casson as “Zoo World.”
An expansion of Gorilla Kingdom in 2025, with the tentative potential to introduce a group of Black-Crested Mangabey into the exhibit. Those with long memories may remember the original intention when the exhibit first opened was to have Colobus mixed with the gorillas
Rebranding and reimagining the Reptile House as an interactive learning space called “Zoo Town” which, personally, brought back cringeworthy memories of when the zoo briefly rebranded the Casson as “Zoo World.”
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Kalaw
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I really like the sound of a gorilla and mangabey mix, especially with Black-cresteds which no UK zoo keeps to my knowledge. It’s been done before (Burgers’ with Golden-bellieds, for example) and if the mangabeys are in large enough numbers it could bring a lot of life to the enclosure. I do wonder what an expansion of the exhibit would entail, however, as I can’t see where there is space in the surroundings to do so.
I too find ‘Zoo Town’ to be a poor name. I will no doubt continue to refer to it as ‘the old reptile house’ in conversation, to be honest!
The report states work has already begun. I’ve always encountered a lot of “dead” immersion/interpretation space around the perimeter, so maybe expand outwards? The framework of the old Sobells is still there, so I assume creating more interior/den space shouldn’t be a problem.
Conceivably the moat on the south side could be filled in and fenced with a glass barrier. Would add quite a lot of space.
Oh, this sounds exciting. Gorilla-monkey mixes are still somewhat rare and a bit risky, but if London can pull it off, it should be great fun to see. Black-crested mangabey are a species of interest for me, too.
Does "Zoo Town" mean no animals?
‘Zoo Town’ sounds like a place where children go and role play. I can’t remember the name of the very successful role play attraction in London, where children can be a range of roles - fire/police/paramedic/nurse/post/retail, etc. - but sounds like one of the copy cat versions of this around now.
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