ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024

[Kalaw]

Which is the Meet the Neighbours Aviary?

The walkthrough one at the entrance to Gorilla Kingdom.

 

[Pacu]

The walkthrough one at the entrance to Gorilla Kingdom.

Thanks, yes, seen that now when I read on. I hadn't clocked that it was called that but it makes sense.

 

[Pacu]

Not sure if there is space, but I have always hoped for a viewing of the hunting dogs and warthogs below the enclosure, nearer to the Regent's Canal. From the bridge beside Snowdon Aviary, it is possible to look down and see an old pathway with a wildlife pond of some description on it, equipped with some surprisingly detailed signage considering it is unused by visitors. I wonder if this has ever been used, and if there are ever plans to use it again...

I can remember when you were allowed down into the 'underground' dens beneath the walkway behind the giraffe house etc.. At that time they were rotating various antelope species between the indoor and outdoor spaces. I loved it down there but there wasn't a lot of space, so that sadly will never reopen. You also used to be able to walk along at canal level, down the steps which are still there. I used them recently when taking part in an experience day. The steps are in very poor condition. Given the commitment to accessibility, I cannot imagine low level access ever being opened again.

 

[Pacu]

I also hope soon they re design the mappin terraces, the outback seems a bit dull, surely they could have it as a bit of an African savanna, it is bigger than the terribly small giraffe house

I have previously suggested it would make a good waterhole exhibit for zebra and ostrich with some supporting exhibits; better for the zebra to be on grass and extend the giraffe paddock into the current zebra area, so better for them too. I think we have to accept the former goat hills are never going to have animals on them but they made a decent backdrop for a waterhole; certainly better than the backdrop for three wallabies and a couple of rhea or emu.

 

[Pacu]

As "Dassie rat" has already responded, there was a lot of opposition from local residents who didn't want to lose part of "their" park and there was a concern that this would generate bad publicity for the zoo. Moreover this was shortly after the zoo's closure crisis and the ZSL didn't have the finance to develop the extra land.

NB I believe the extra land actually occupied fifteen, not ten, acres and the ZSL would have leased not bought it.

I believe there is either an area which was identified or a set amount of acres identified that the zoo could request to call in as part of its Royal Charter.

 

[Pacu]

I see the problem rather differently. It would cost far too much to modernise the Mappins, even if English Heritage approved the scheme and I regret that demolishing the Casson is not really an option. But provided some money is available there should be no real difficulty in converting the old Reptile House into an interesting exhibit, perhaps with one or two creatures on show among the museum items (put the raven's cage there perhaps).
However the real space available is on the North Bank, which was a works yard while the Snowdon was redeveloped and had been more or less derelict for some years previously. There is not a lot of level gound, but it faces south so there are many possibilities for exhibits for smaller creatures where the old aviaries used to be, perhaps with one or two arboreal species where the ground slopes away - imagine viewing spider monkeys or clouded leopards at tree top level. But the rule must be modest structures only: no grand designs which might get listed in the future.

The problem there is the proximity to the road and low fences. If you look at the gate by the colobus building, you could virtually reach through from the road and touch it, so security in that area is bound to be an issue. This is a shame, as I also think there is a lot of scope for development there, also the horticultural department is no longer doing what it used to, so there is potential for redeveloping that area and moving the current horticultual work.

 

[Kalaw]

I can remember when you were allowed down into the 'underground' dens beneath the walkway behind the giraffe house etc.. At that time they were rotating various antelope species between the indoor and outdoor spaces. I loved it down there but there wasn't a lot of space, so that sadly will never reopen. You also used to be able to walk along at canal level, down the steps which are still there. I used them recently when taking part in an experience day. The steps are in very poor condition. Given the commitment to accessibility, I cannot imagine low level access ever being opened again.

Nice to know that the canalside pathways are still used at times; it gives me hope that they are indeed part of the plans for improved hunting dog and warthog viewing, although any modifications to that area would still be welcome and interesting. Didn’t realise that the stables underneath the Cottons were ever open to the public, so thanks for pointing that out, although if they are in the area which I assume you are referring to, then it is probably safe to assume that they are still used today for the hunting dogs and warthogs, but are simply offshow?

 

[Pacu]

I suppose that’s one way to describe the Mappins!

As I understand it, it is actually the newer extensions and modifications at the back of the Mappins which are unsafe and have bits falling off. We know they were using scaffolding to support the aquarium ceiling but that issue could probably be underpinned and re-propped quite easily.

 

[Pacu]

Nice to know that the canalside pathways are still used at times; it gives me hope that they are indeed part of the plans for improved hunting dog and warthog viewing, although any modifications to that area would still be welcome and interesting. Didn’t realise that the stables underneath the Cottons were ever open to the public, so thanks for pointing that out, although if they are in the area which I assume you are referring to, then it is probably safe to assume that they are still used today for the hunting dogs and warthogs, but are simply offshow?

Yes, if you lean over the rails just a bit (don't fall in!) you can see where they access the dens. Those tall structures which have wood around them are the ventilation shafts. I assume the dogs access the dens there but my recollection is that even with a safety rail, you wouldn't want the public that close to them in such a confined space.

 

[Tim May]

.....NB I believe the extra land actually occupied fifteen, not ten, acres....

I believe there is either an area which was identified or a set amount of acres identified that the zoo could request to call in as part of its Royal Charter.

Indeed the "set amount of acres identified" is the fifteen acres, I mentioned in an earlier post

 

[JVM]

I can remember when you were allowed down into the 'underground' dens beneath the walkway behind the giraffe house etc.. At that time they were rotating various antelope species between the indoor and outdoor spaces. I loved it down there but there wasn't a lot of space, so that sadly will never reopen. You also used to be able to walk along at canal level, down the steps which are still there. I used them recently when taking part in an experience day. The steps are in very poor condition. Given the commitment to accessibility, I cannot imagine low level access ever being opened again.

Appreciate all of the new information in this and your other posts, really sheds a lot of light on London for a new visitor. Wonder how much it would cost to fix up those steps? Probably a lot more than I would venture a guess, honestly.

 

[Panthera1981]

Does anyone know what happened to the statue of Winnie the bear that was once on display near the Mappin cafe? It disappeared many years ago but the small triangular plinth it sat on still remains. I have photos of it and if I recall it was entitled “Bear Cub.”

 

[Tim May]

Does anyone know what happened to the statue of Winnie the bear that was once on display near the Mappin cafe? It disappeared many years ago but the small triangular plinth it sat on still remains. I have photos of it and if I recall it was entitled “Bear Cub.”

There are two statues of "Winnie" at London Zoo. One is close to the war memorial, between the Butterfly House and the Three Island Pond.

I believe the one you're asking about was sculpted by Lorne McKean. I'm not sure of it's current whereabouts; it was moved some years ago from near the Mappin Terraces to the Children’s Zoo. Next time I'm in the zoo, I'll see if It's still there.

 

[Panthera1981]

There are two statues of "Winnie" at London Zoo. One is close to the war memorial, between the Butterfly House and the Three Island Pond.

I believe the one you're asking about was sculpted by Lorne McKean. I'm not sure of it's current whereabouts; it was moved some years ago from near the Mappin Terraces to the Children’s Zoo. Next time I'm in the zoo, I'll see if It's still there.

Thankyou Tim. It’s not the one near the war memorial.

I appreciate they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but there seems to have been a number of historical items that have a disappeared in recent years. The one I find unforgivable (unless I’m blind) is the loss of the old entrance stone (“The Lion(s) House”) that was set in the wall when the old lion terraces were redeveloped. If anything’s fit for display for an on-site museum, it’s that. Hopefully the zoo have it in storage

 

[Kalaw]

My favourite such historical structure is the old entrance archway to the Parrot House that remained beside the penguins after the remainder of the house was demolished. An entire building is a major loss to the zoo’s landscape, but keeping the most significant and iconic part of it is a good way of allowing it to be repurposed while not dismissing it completely.

If infrastructure issues are urgent, then I would rather like to see the zoo doing the same with the Reptile House, before Historic England decide to list it! Of course repurposing it would be ideal, but if not possible then this is obviously preferable to complete demolition. There would be a lot of interesting history to discuss in adjacent signage, not least that relating to Joan Procter’s role.

 

[Charles]

Does anyone know what the zoos next plans are if any? I get that SLoRA hasn’t been open too long but was curious

 

[cerperal]

Does anyone know what the zoos next plans are if any? I get that SLoRA hasn’t been open too long but was curious

I believe the next major plan is to convert the old reptile house into the museum, but given there's nothing official about that it's presumably still up in the air. Aside from that, I don't believe that there's anything public yet about their next major steps.

 

[polarbear]

Thankyou Tim. It’s not the one near the war memorial.

I appreciate they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but there seems to have been a number of historical items that have a disappeared in recent years. The one I find unforgivable (unless I’m blind) is the loss of the old entrance stone (“The Lion(s) House”) that was set in the wall when the old lion terraces were redeveloped. If anything’s fit for display for an on-site museum, it’s that. Hopefully the zoo have it in storage

The second Winnie statue is still on display in the Children’s area. It’s alongside one of the paths, between the hot air balloon and before the meerkat picture that you can stick your head through. It’s probably more prominent in this area, and seen by more people, as it has a book style sign next to it with the history of Winnie at the Zoo.

Regarding the Lions House sign - is it the long one you’re referring to? If so, it can still be seen in the Lion development, just quite hard to see. Really hard to explain, but it’s towards the back of the railway station enclosure, below the upper walkway, but I only saw it on a visit in the past couple of years and happened to be in the right place / level to spot it. As said, really hard to explain how to see it. I was surprised to see it, but also glad that it was still there.

 

[polarbear]

I believe the next major plan is to convert the old reptile house into the museum, but given there's nothing official about that it's presumably still up in the air. Aside from that, I don't believe that there's anything public yet about their next major steps.

It would be great to get the Museum, and fits in with the 200th anniversary, but the signage that went up as the old Reptile House closed just related to a ‘Family Area’. It would be good to get information coming through from ZSL on their plans for the building.

 

[polarbear]

The second Winnie statue is still on display in the Children’s area. It’s alongside one of the paths, between the hot air balloon and before the meerkat picture that you can stick your head through. It’s probably more prominent in this area, and seen by more people, as it has a book style sign next to it with the history of Winnie at the Zoo.

Regarding the Lions House sign - is it the long one you’re referring to? If so, it can still be seen in the Lion development, just quite hard to see. Really hard to explain, but it’s towards the back of the railway station enclosure, below the upper walkway, but I only saw it on a visit in the past couple of years and happened to be in the right place / level to spot it. As said, really hard to explain how to see it. I was surprised to see it, but also glad that it was still there.

Just found my photo of the sign from 2022