Edinburgh Zoo, formally the Scottish National Zoological Park, is situated in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh , not far from Murrayfield Stadium . Owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland , it receives over 600,000 visitors a year which makes it Scotland 's second most popular paid for tourist attraction, after Edinburgh Castle .

History

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a registered charity , was originally founded in 1909 by an Edinburgh lawyer, Thomas Hailing Gillespie . The original charter of the society is:

"To promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life."

The site was purchased for the Society by the Edinburgh Town Council on 4 February 1913[ goodzoos.com ] , and Edinburgh Zoo was opened to the public on 22 July 1913 . It was incorporated by Royal Charter later that year but was only granted the prefix 'Royal' in 1948, following a visit by King George VI .

In 1986, the Society acquired the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig , near Aviemore .

The zoo is known particularly for its collection of penguin s, with the port of Leith providing passage for the first three King penguins via the Christian Salvesen whaling expedition of January 1914 .

Present

As of 2005 , Edinburgh Zoo has approximately 1,000 animals on its 82 acre s of parkland. Weddings and conferences can be booked in the "Mansion House" (formerly Corstophine Hill House , the old estate house) which has over two-hundred years of history within its walls. The zoo still retains the original charter, which drives its active breeding programme, and biodiversity , conservation and sustainability initiatives.

Future

The zoo has an ambitious plan for the next 10-20 years, with an estimated GBP 58 million being required for expansion and development. The zoo provides multiple ways for the public to help support its mission, including a membership club, animal adoption, donations, legacies and volunteering [ * ] . The zoo currently boasts the UK's only Koalas.

Other Images from Edinburgh Zoo

Image:Baby Meercats Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|Baby meerkat s. Image:Female Gorilla Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|Yinka, a female Western Lowland Gorilla . Image:Pelican Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|American White Pelican . Image:Penguins Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|King penguin s. Image:East African grey crowned crane Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|East African grey crowned crane . Image:Penguin Edinburgh Zoo 2004_SMC.jpg|Juvenile Yellow-eyed Penguin . Image:pygmy hippo edinburgh zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|Pygmy Hippopotamus . Image:Underwater Penguin Edinburgh Zoo 2004 SMC.jpg|Underwater Gentoo Penguin s.

References

    [ History of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland ] , Edinburgh Zoo website, accessed 29 June 2006

See also

    Carnegie Aquarium
    Royal Edinburgh Zoological Gardens , Edinburgh's first zoo, from 1839-1857

External links

    [ Official Site ]
    [ Falklands Conservation - Penguins ]
    [ Edinburgh Zoo at Google Maps ]

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<Buildings and structures in Edinburgh>
<Visitor attractions in Edinburgh>
<Zoos in Scotland>
<1913 establishments>

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