Edinburgh Zoo turns 100!
July 22, 2013 marks the 100th birthday of Edinburgh Zoo, which first opened its doors in 1913 with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Director Thomas H. Gillespie at the reins. Much has changed throughout the Zoo’s long history as it has adapted to become a leading organisation in science, education and conservation for species both native and international. There is an array of exciting activities and events occurring throughout the day to mark this monumental birthday.
Chris West, Chief Executive Officer for Edinburgh Zoo says:
“It is a great privilege to be at the helm of the RZSS during this special occasion and we have a lot planned to celebrate with our visitors. Recently I wondered what Thomas Gillespie would think if he saw the Zoo today and I am certain he would be proud. His original vision was to foster and develop an interest in and knowledge of animal life, which is not far off from our current aims today.
“In a world that is increasingly overpopulated with decreasing biodiversity and viable habitats, Edinburgh Zoo’s future is to play a crucial role in raising awareness amongst its visitors about the importance of securing a future for all species, including our own. The Zoo will also continue to expand its work on groundbreaking conservation projects both within Scotland and on an international level. As Gerald Durrell once said, ‘The more species we allow to become extinct the closer we ourselves come to extinction.’ I know that Edinburgh Zoo will continue to play a vital role in preventing this from happening.”
Penguins have always been an important species for the Zoo and much of the day’s celebrations will reflect upon this theme. A one-metre-high three-dimensional 100 sign will be placed in Penguins Rock – the new penguin enclosure that was revamped for the centenary year. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the Zoo’s insatiably inquisitive gentoos, rockhoppers and kings interact with their centenary-themed enrichment.
There will also be a life-size, three-foot tall sculpture cake of a king penguin on display on the front lawns. This wonderful cake sculpture, made by local Corstorphine business 3D Cakes, commemorates the Zoo being the first collection to successfully hatch king penguins outside the southern hemisphere.
Jeremy Peat, Chair for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland says:
“It is a very special occasion to be able to mark this grand old lady zoo’s centenary. It is astounding to think that 100 years ago today the Zoo opened its doors to an inquisitive, marvelling public who had never before had the opportunity to see such an incredible array of animals. There has been a world of change over the past century and yet the Zoo has adapted and flourished. Determination, progressive thinking, expert animal husbandry skills and the formalising of education within the Zoo have all helped lead us to where we are today.
“There have been countless achievements in the Zoo’s past, including being the first British host for the European Endangered Species Programme in 1992, the opening of our state of the art Wildgenes Laboratory in 2010, and of course being home to the UK’s only pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang as well as koalas Alinga, Goonaroo and Yabbra. It is exciting to look forward to the Zoo’s next 100 years and anticipate its future achievements for education, conservation and science.”
Along with Jeremy, respected Scottish actor John Hannah will be opening the newly renovated Koala Territory, which is home to Alinga, Goonaroo and Yabbra – the UK’s only koalas. The Koala Territory opening will be a closed function for key guests and patrons, however the enclosure will be open to all visitors during the afternoon.
John Hannah says:
“After narrating the recent Edinburgh Zoo centenary documentary Animal Magic I wanted to join in wishing the Zoo a very happy birthday. I have many fond memories of the Zoo that I have collected over the years and I am looking forward to bringing my children so they can have their own memories too. I even once had to swim in the penguin pool while apprehending a villain in an episode of Rebus, which was a very cold experience as it was filmed in January!”
Every child to visit the Zoo on Monday will receive a free animal mask to wear and there will be 100 fluffy panda toys hidden throughout the park for visitors to find and keep. For each of the daily education talks Thomas Gillespie and his wife, in full period costumes, will be on hand to explain how the Zoo has changed over the past 100 hundred years and answer questions.
Over the past seven months the Zoo has been collecting special birthday messages from staff members and key people within the Scottish community as well as global conservation. The birthday messages are a montage of zoo memories, their thoughts about the zoo, what is important about zoos, they role their play in the future of conservation and connecting children with nature. Footage of these birthday messages will be available online from Monday. Speakers include wildlife expert Chris Packham, geologist and broadcaster Prof Iain Stewart, conservation scientist Prof Andrew Balmford, Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith, Scottish entrepreneur and business man Sir Tom Farmer.
Source: Edinburgh Zoo
