Birthday Treats: ZSL London Zoo

 

By Katherine Morten

 

Turning the big 21 is seen as a big deal in this day and age with all kinds of extravagant celebrations. My family surprised me with many things but a trip to London Zoo was one of them, it was like I was 5 years old again running around the place trying to find my favourite animals.

 

Not only was this a wonderful visit, it felt like my family had hired out the Zoo just for me, it was winter and very chilly out so not many people took a trip to London Zoo that day. The cold brisk weather made for some beautiful photographs but it did make me wonder about the animal’s welfare in such a climate (let me know in the comments what you think about zoos in the winter).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gorilla statue at the entrance to ZSL London Zoo is a tribute to one of our most famous residents, Guy. The Western lowland gorilla arrived at the Zoo on Guy Fawkes Night, hence his name, and became something of a celebrity, attracting thousands of visitors to the Zoo between 1947 and 1978.

Despite Western lowland gorillas being the world’s largest primates, Guy was a gentle giant and would cradle birds that had flown into his enclosure in his hands before setting them free again.