Decimus Burton was the Zoo's official architect from 1826 to 1841 and laid out the grounds which includes some iconic architecture. Many other leading architects have since contributed to the built environment of the Zoo, creating a collection of buildings that includes two Grade I and eight Grade II listed structures.
London Zoo is run by The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.
London Zoo houses more than 650 species of reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds, and mammals of which 112 species are listed as threatened in the Red Data Books.
Note, there are no elephants at London Zoo as they have all been moved to Whipsnade Wildlife Park (outside of London) where they have better facilities for such animals.
Aquarium
The world's very first aquarium opened at London Zoo in 1853. They actually invented the word 'aquarium' - a shortening of 'aquatic vivarium', the old name for a fish enclosure. The aquarium was moved to it's current large building in 1924. It has three big halls and is 150 yeards long.
