ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2025

Reduced viewing today due to the high winds. Some animals were kept inside offshow areas (eg lions/tigers). Part of the northside from lemurs (rainforest/nightlife) to otters was closed to visitors due to the trees lining the path. The tunnel by the entrance was open and there was access to Africa and Monkey Valley.

The Mitchell's lorikeets have left for another collection, the nearest sign to their former enclosure is for purple-naped lory although it is not clear whether it is currently occupied.
 
tennisfan said:
Reduced viewing today due to the high winds. Some animals were kept inside offshow areas (eg lions/tigers). Part of the northside from lemurs (rainforest/nightlife) to otters was closed to visitors due to the trees lining the path. The tunnel by the entrance was open and there was access to Africa and Monkey Valley.

The Mitchell's lorikeets have left for another collection, the nearest sign to their former enclosure is for purple-naped lory although it is not clear whether it is currently occupied.
Click to expand...
Anyone have any idea as to which collection?
 
From today’s Members’ Update:

Capybaras to stay in Capital
Capybara duo Gizmo and Kiwi have settled in so well to life in London, that the capital’s zoo is creating a permanent new habitat for them. The South American rodents – the world’s largest – were initially staying in London Zoo as a temporary stop, before moving to Whipsnade Zoo. Having seen the inspirational impact these animals have on visitors who see them, and how comfortable they are in London, a new habitat is being created for the pair, next door to London Zoo’s brand new ZooTown experience. The plan is that Whipsnade Zoo will still be home to capybara in the future, and we’ll be sure to let you know when!
 
polarbear said:
From today’s Members’ Update:

Capybaras to stay in Capital
Capybara duo Gizmo and Kiwi have settled in so well to life in London, that the capital’s zoo is creating a permanent new habitat for them. The South American rodents – the world’s largest – were initially staying in London Zoo as a temporary stop, before moving to Whipsnade Zoo. Having seen the inspirational impact these animals have on visitors who see them, and how comfortable they are in London, a new habitat is being created for the pair, next door to London Zoo’s brand new ZooTown experience. The plan is that Whipsnade Zoo will still be home to capybara in the future, and we’ll be sure to let you know when!
Click to expand...

Seeing how popular they are that really seems like a no brainer, and I’m personally very excited about them staying!

however, I struggle to see where they could make an enclosure for them around ZooTowns? Isn’t that enclosed by the tiger back stage area, the Komodo dragons and the gorillas?
 
Joker22Hero said:
Seeing how popular they are that really seems like a no brainer, and I’m personally very excited about them staying!

however, I struggle to see where they could make an enclosure for them around ZooTowns? Isn’t that enclosed by the tiger back stage area, the Komodo dragons and the gorillas?
Click to expand...
My immediate thinking goes to where the Galapagos tortoises used to be housed, I believe that space is unused and could make a great home for the capys with some minor changes
 
It is indeed the old tortoise area - construction has been ongoing for about a month now, which is why the komodo dragon house only has one door unlocked currently.

Worth mentioning that the male hippo is still expected in the New Year even though the capybaras will move in to the new exhibit reasonably soon

Also - if anyone else is still dubious on ZooTown, I recommend giving it a look on the zoo's socials and the accounts from people who have had early access. It's of no interest to me, and probably wouldn't have been as a kid, but it's phenomenally well made. With the capybaras moving next door as well, it's going to be a massive hit
 
cerperal said:
It is indeed the old tortoise area - construction has been ongoing for about a month now, which is why the komodo dragon house only has one door unlocked currently.
Click to expand...

I’ve not been to London Zoo before the new tortoise house was built, are you referring to the area I circled in red?
upload_2025-9-18_16-42-36.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2025-9-18_16-42-36.png
    upload_2025-9-18_16-42-36.png
    625.1 KB · Views: 55
cerperal said:
Yep :)
Click to expand...
Thanks! I honestly cannot even remember how that area looks like, always felt like that door in the Komodo Dragon house was closed, so excited to see it being used.


Somewhat off topic, but the Komodo Dragon house has what looks like a small enclosure outside, going towards Tiger Territory, which is now just overgrown with bamboo iirc, has that ever been an actual enclosure?
 
polarbear said:
From today’s Members’ Update:

Capybaras to stay in Capital
Capybara duo Gizmo and Kiwi have settled in so well to life in London, that the capital’s zoo is creating a permanent new habitat for them. The South American rodents – the world’s largest – were initially staying in London Zoo as a temporary stop, before moving to Whipsnade Zoo. Having seen the inspirational impact these animals have on visitors who see them, and how comfortable they are in London, a new habitat is being created for the pair, next door to London Zoo’s brand new ZooTown experience. The plan is that Whipsnade Zoo will still be home to capybara in the future, and we’ll be sure to let you know when!
Click to expand...
Well, it's decided, I'll arrange another visit to London for 2026. Off to Hotels.com I go!
 
Is there any given timespan on when we can expect the capybaras to move to the former tortoise enclosure?

I'm really happy about this announcement, though I'd have preferred it to have been instead of the capys replacing hippos at Whipsnade, not as well as. :p Another crowd-pleasing, easily marketable arrival at London, and a species that will do well to bring life to an empty area of the zoo; one that should fit them quite well, with a decent amount of space, grass and a pool. Hopefully it will mean that the Komodo House is no longer a dead end! It's hardly surprising given how popular they were (the sheer number of capybara-related merchandise in the gift shop for what was supposed to be a temporary acquisition was an indication).

I also think Zoo Town will be a success. Exactly the sort of thing that will pop up on advertising boards throughout London and catch the eye of parents looking for something a bit more interactive than a standard zoo visit. I do worry somewhat about the necessity of booking in advance making it a bit less successful, as families who weren't aware of it prior to visiting won't be able to attend.
 
According to their socials, they've started crate training them for the move

(I mean, should that take very long given they were presumably crated to move there not that long ago? Who knows?)

In terms of Whipsnade, they're talking about a 'group' so might offer a slightly different vibe.
 
Kalaw said:
Is there any given timespan on when we can expect the capybaras to move to the former tortoise enclosure?
Click to expand...
None yet, but it shouldn't be too long - mid-late October by my reckoning but it's reliant on how cooperative the capys are with moving moreso than the actual exhibit being ready so it may happen sooner. I would be interested to see the impact the capybaras themselves have had on London's finances, both for gate numbers and merch. They're popular enough to have their own chalkboard sign at the main entrance :D

Kalaw said:
I also think Zoo Town will be a success. Exactly the sort of thing that will pop up on advertising boards throughout London and catch the eye of parents looking for something a bit more interactive than a standard zoo visit. I do worry somewhat about the necessity of booking in advance making it a bit less successful, as families who weren't aware of it prior to visiting won't be able to attend.
Click to expand...
Just a small correction - you can book on the day, if they have space. The small fee attached is to try and prevent people booking and then not showing to ensure any possible spaces are free, and I think it's a good way of doing things. I totally agree though, the advertising campaign has already started and people seem very interested. When I was there about a month ago people were already asking if they could book for the day, but I believe since then they've had a "soft" opening for the media and zoo staff but any free spaces can be taken up by visitors who ask. So far it's been a massive success as far as the reviews go

As @JoB198 says, the intention for Whipsnade was always to acquire not only some tapir but more capybaras to form a larger group. Certainly not the most exciting exhibit for many of us, but a large hopefully breeding group combined with tapir should be a rather nice use of that paddock. London making use of that dead space finally is also great news, and though I'd rather it used for a slightly more exciting species I am aware that random ungulates don't bring people through the gates like giant guinea pigs do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top