We might only be four months into our 200th anniversary year, but what a celebration it’s been so far.
From giraffes gracing the London Underground to our Sumatran tigers coming face-to-face with their own image on a commemorative coin, here’s a look back at some of the magical moments that have marked our bicentenary year.
Giraffes on the Underground
January brought a stunning start to our anniversary year when London Zoo’s iconic giraffes starred in a new London Underground poster by award-winning artist Eliza Southwood. Part of TfL’s ‘Great days out’ series, the poster celebrates London Zoo’s status as a beloved cultural landmark – and continues a tradition dating back to 1913, when the Zoo first appeared on Underground posters commissioned by design pioneer Frank Pick.
A Coin for Conservation
The Royal Mint marked our 200th anniversary with a commemorative £2 coin featuring three remarkable species: the Sumatran tiger, Socorro dove, and Partula snail. Each represents ZSL’s unique ability to unite science, zoos, and field conservation. And in a moment that perfectly captures the magic of our anniversary year, our Sumatran tigers and Partula snails came face-to-face with their own images on the coin – and gave them the seal of approval.
Guardians of the Small
Our longest running conservation project had a moment in the spotlight this year, when we released a short film documenting the return of snails bred at London Zoo back to the wild in French Polynesia. The story wasn’t only about the snails though – it was a peek inside a 30-year friendship between Dave and Paul, forged from a shared love of the snails and a shared commitment to saving them from extinction.
Wild talks & capturing voices
Throughout the year, we’ve been inviting people to explore the biggest questions in conservation through Wild Talks – a special series of free public lectures hosted by champions including Dr Adam Rutherford, Lucy Cooke, and Chris van Tulleken. From celebrating pioneering women in wildlife to exploring how technology is transforming conservation, these talks are bringing ZSL’s science to life. And alongside this, we’ve launched an oral archive project, recording the voices and memories of people who’ve been part of ZSL’s story – preserving these first-hand accounts for future generations.
Wildest Moments
In March, we launched Wildest Moments – a 12-part podcast series hosted by Ben Fogle that explores deeply personal stories of human-wildlife encounters. From rescuing lions from war-torn Ukraine to dolphins protecting swimmers from sharks, each episode celebrates the wild moments that create lasting connections between people and nature. New episodes drop monthly throughout 2026, keeping the spirit of our bicentenary alive all year long.
Our story comes to life
At both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, new heritage exhibitions bring our 200-year history to life through the stories and images shared by you. Through our History Hive project, supporters helped us uncover hidden gems from our archives – family photographs, memories, and moments that together paint a vivid picture of how ZSL has connected people with wildlife across generations. From pioneering women scientists to pop culture moments, from architectural landmarks to voices of hope for the future, these exhibitions celebrate not just ZSL’s story, but your place in it too.
The Moon and the Zoo
Just last week, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage gave us an extraordinary gift: a new poem written to mark our 200th anniversary. ‘The Moon and the Zoo’ imagines the moon as a silent nocturnal keeper, moving through London Zoo after dark before entrusting the future of the natural world to humanity at dawn. Released as a beautiful, animated film illustrated by Greg King, it’s a moving reflection on wonder, responsibility, and our enduring connection to wildlife.
Music for our anniversary
And there’s been music too. The London Philharmonic Orchestra performed at South Bank Centre as part of our bicentenary celebrations, featuring a specially commissioned rendition of ZSL’s Fanfare integrated into their spring programme – a stirring reminder that ZSL’s influence reaches far beyond science and into the heart of British culture.
A new world-leading wildlife health centre
And today, as we mark the day of our founding, we have announced a £20m investment in the future of wildlife health with an exciting step to create a new wildlife health centre, including a state-of-the-art animal hospital where visitors will have the chance to watch live health checks and veterinary operations, and interact with our vets and wildlife health researchers.
And there’s more to come
From art and poetry to coins and podcasts, from science talks to heritage exhibitions, every moment this year has celebrated the connection between people and wildlife that’s defined ZSL for two centuries. And we’re only just getting started. With more announcements, events, and surprises still to come throughout 2026, this promises to be an anniversary year to remember.