A very big year
We have a whole year of celebrations, special moments and announcements planned for our 200th anniversary. Keep up to date with the latest news here.
Latest news
- 22 May 2026
Whipsnade Zoo turns 95
Celebrating 95 years of inspiring a love for wildlife and the great outdoors, take a look at this gallery of iconic images from our history.
- 8 May 2026
Sir David Attenborough at 100: A Legacy of love for nature
Today, Friday 8 May, Sir David Attenborough marks his 100th birthday.
- 8 May 2026
Our two Zoos star in Blue Peter episode to celebrate ZSL’s 200th
Watch the Zoo Peter episode on iPlayer!
- 29 April 2026
Happy Birthday ZSL: 200 Years of Wildlife
Two hundred years ago – on 29 April 1826 – a group of visionary scientists and naturalists gathered in London with a bold ambition: to create a collection of animals for scientific study and to advance the world’s understanding of wildlife.
- 29 April 2026
ZSL marks 200th anniversary with £20m boost for wildlife health
We're marking our two hundredth anniversary with the unveiling of ambitious plans for a new world-leading wildlife health centre – made possible by the most significant donation in our 200-year history.
- 23 April 2026
ZSL at 200 – The Exhibition
As part of our 200th anniversary year celebrations, visitors to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo can explore a brand-new exhibition bringing ZSL’s extraordinary history to life.
- 20 April 2026
Poet Laureate marks ZSL’s 200th anniversary with new nature poem
Simon Armitage’s ‘The Moon and the Zoo’ explores the enduring connection between wildlife and people in honour of ZSL's anniversary.
- 14 April 2026
ZSL tigers give giant coin the roar of approval
Our Sumatran tigers gave The Royal Mint’s commemorative ZSL £2 coin the roar of approval today at London Zoo.
- 10 April 2026
Penguins enjoy private performance ahead of ZSL’s 200th anniversary concert
Humboldt penguins at London Zoo formed an attentive and rather unusual audience this week, as musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra paid homage to William Walton’s Fanfare at Penguin Beach.
- 2 April 2026
Our exclusive new anniversary collection
We’ve created a brand new, exclusive, collection of commemorative gifts inspired by our heritage, but with a modern makeover. And the charming keepsakes are now available to buy in our Zoo shops and online.
- 26 March 2026
Mosaic snake by iconic artist Linder to be unveiled at London Zoo
A mosaic snake by iconic artist Linder is to be unveiled at London Zoo in honour of herpetologist Joan Procter for ZSL’s 200th anniversary.
- 9 March 2026
ZSL appoints Kathryn England as Chief Executive Officer
ZSL announces the appointment of Kathryn England as permanent Chief Executive Officer – the first woman to hold the role in the organisation's 200-year history.
- 26 February 2026
Ben Fogle explores people’s Wildest Moments in new podcast
To celebrate our 200th, we'll be launching a new 12-part podcast series hosted by Ben Fogle, including a range of guests and our experts.
- A striking new poster is now on sale
London Zoo’s giraffes star in a new London Underground poster
A tower of giraffes at London Zoo are the stars of a striking new poster commissioned by London Transport Museum and Transport for London (TfL) that will go on display in London Underground stations.
- Every paw and claw accounted for
Whipsnade Zoo's 2026 Annual Stocktake
The animals are counted in Whipsnade Zoo's Annual Stocktake as we mark the start of our bicentenary year.
- London Zoo's annual animal count
London Zoo's Annual Stocktake 2026
London Zoo kicked off ZSL’s 200th anniversary with annual animal count.
Back to the future for London Zoo
Meticulous recreation of ZSL’s London Zoo in 1904 created on Planet Zoo for our 200th anniversary
The Royal Mint marks ZSL’s 200th anniversary with 2026 Annual Set
The Royal Mint marks ZSL’s 200th anniversary with 2026 Annual Set
