London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo.[6] It was opened in London on 27 April 1828,[7] and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847.[6] Today it houses a collection of 755 species of animals, with 16,802 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.[2] It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),[6] and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park, on the boundary line between City of Westminster and Camden (the Regent's Canal runs through it).[8] The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.[9][10] As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853),[11] first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).
It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),[6] and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park, on the boundary line between City of Westminster and Camden (the Regent's Canal runs through it).[8] The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved.[9][10] As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853),[11] first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).