johnstoni85
New Member
The first we've seen of the otter pups? A look from the holt at the bottom of the page. Siyam and Midge both visible, with two pups feeding. Baby boom in the rainforest | London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter aquilla1
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Jambi
Well-Known Member
I'm going to book train tickets for my upcoming May visit to London soon, my plan is to travel down on a Wednesday, stay for one night, then visit the zoo and come back home on Thursday. The train I have my eye on for returning home departs at 14:40, and considering the zoo opens at 10am, would about three and a half hours be enough time to get around most of the zoo and see the majority of exhibits? I don't mind skipping one or two areas for time if necessary, as I want to allow myself a good amount of time to get to Euston train station so I'm on time for that 14:40 train.
Also, when the zoo first opens in the morning, how big do the queues to get in tend to be? Because I plan on setting off to the zoo at around 9:30 in case there's a long wait to get in.
Also, when the zoo first opens in the morning, how big do the queues to get in tend to be? Because I plan on setting off to the zoo at around 9:30 in case there's a long wait to get in.
A very random question, but did London Zoo ever keep Passenger Pigeon and, if so, what was their history?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I found this thread which suggests the zoo not only kept but bred the species throughout the course of the mid-19th Century, with an interesting note about the experiences breeding them.
Yes London Zoo did keep passenger pigeon.
I'm not at home currently but will attempt to supply more details in due course.
EDIT
In summary, passenger pigeons hatched several times at London Zoo, the first occasion being in April 1832. By coincidence, at approximately the same time as the first London hatching, the species also bred in the Knowsley Menagerie (the private zoo of Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby).
The passenger pigeons at Knowsley were so prolific the Earl used to periodically release surplus specimens from his aviaries and let them fly free.
@Kalaw has beaten me to it. I've really nothing to add to the link he's already supplied.
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Just to add to this, the film Turtle Diaries can be watched in full on Youtube
Many parts of it were filmed on location at the zoo including interior shots of the aquarium, scenes on the Mappin Terraces, an elevated view of the north west corner of the main gardens, the exterior of the Reptile House (which stands in for the aquarium entrance), also the old closing announcement can be heard towards the films end.
I remember the turtles and their tank. I think they were rescues and were eventually sent off to Florida but I may be entirely wrong.
I am someone who likes to take their time (though I have speedran!) but it took me two 3-4 hour trips to complete London Zoo during my visit last spring, followed by a subsequent all-day trip where I managed everything a second time except Blackburn Pavilion and Tiny Giants. The fact you need to backtrack at points adds a time loss. You could still have a good trip just prioritize well.
Thanks Tim,
I've no idea why I thought they went to Florida but 1984 was a long time ago I suppose.
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
When you say Blackpool - are you referring to the zoo or to the Sea Life centre? I assume the latter?
When you say Blackpool - are you referring to the zoo or to the Sea Life centre? I assume the latter?
A thread gives some details
Green turtle returns to Blackpool [SEA LIFE Blackpool]
According to the ZSL Report for 1984, a "good home at Blackpool Aquarium" was found for the four turtles (three green turtles and one loggerhead turtle).When you say Blackpool - are you referring to the zoo or to the Sea Life centre? I assume the latter?
Unless I am having complete false memory syndrome, were there not subsequent marine turtles kept at London in the Aquarium? I remember seeing them as a child but wasn't born in 1984!
You are definitely correct! I was about to query this myself, as my first visit wasn't until 1989, and I have photos of sea turtles subsequent to that. I believe they were Green Turtles.
I’m guessing, from the date, that it would have been the Blackpool Tower Aquarium, rather than the Sea Life?
I was thinking exactly this.
One factor to consider is that the zoo is a lot less busy after 3pm (say), so you may get more quality viewing for the time you spend in the latter part of the day between then and closing time (which extends to 6pm after the clocks change), if your travel plans allow.
For example, today I was in the new SLoRA exhibit at around 4.30pm with only about five other people in the whole building, so you could easily spend time in front of each compartment without waiting to get a good view.
it’s probably also worth finding out from the zookeepers what feeding times are for any specific “must-see” animals on your list, or just if you can’t see them so you don’t waste time if they are off show completely.
hope that helps, have a great day!
Yes, indeed, the Blackpool Tower Aquarium although some subsequently were transferred to Sea Life Centre.
Jambi
Well-Known Member
Thank you very much for this. With your advise in mind, I might re-structure my plans to go to the zoo on my first day of the trip, the train arrives in Euston at 12pm and it takes a bit more than half an hour to walk there from the station, and about the same length of time from the zoo to my hotel, so I could have anywhere up to five hours at the zoo if I stay until closing time. I am slightly concerned about traversing London's streets on my own in case I get mugged or worse, so if I do this new plan I may look into public transport links or where the nearest taxi ranks are.
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