Egyptian tortoises hatch at London Zoo

PHOTOCALL...... PHOTOCALL....... PHOTOCALL

Date: Tuesday, 25 July 2000
Time: 10.30am
Venue: London Zoo (entry via East Service Gate)
Contact: Susan Wilks, RPPR
Tel: 020 7881 3232 or mobile: 07770 887 175

or, Debbie Curtis/Joe Laing/Peter Beatty, ZSL PR Office
Tel: 020 7449 6363/6236/6361, mobile: 0589 043843

A TASTE OF EGYPT AT LONDON ZOO

Meet the new baby Egyptian tortoises at London Zoo

Come and meet some of the reptilian stars of the second series of the BBC1 documentary Zoo (the fascinating programme which goes behind the scenes of London Zoo and its sister zoo Whipsnade Wild Animal Park). The seven baby Egyptian tortoises have been born over the past few months, with the youngest at only two months old, and viewers will be able to see their older relatives in this evening's episode.

The Egyptian tortoise is one of the world's rarest tortoises. The species is threatened by both habitat loss and illegal collecting for the pet trade, and is regarded as virtually extinct in Egypt. The tiny babies - measuring only two and a half centimetres - born at London Zoo mark an important breakthrough in future protection of the species.

Tonight's Zoo programme, goes behind the scenes of the Reptile House, where for many visitors, fascination meets fear.

Notes to Editors:

Breeding, feeding, sleeping, creeping, moving, staying, fighting, playing - Zoo is an intimate portrait of animals and keepers behind the scenes at London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.

Zoo is on BBC1 from 7.30pm every Wednesday evening