Can you believe the Edinburgh Zoo was officially opened 119 years ago today?
With pandas, giraffes and the famous penguin parade, Edinburgh Zoo has long been one of Edinburgh most famous attractions, with locals and tourists from all over the world flocking to see the world famous zoo.
Modelled on Hamburg’s Tierpark Hagenbeck Zoo in Germany, it has housed some of the world’s most loved animals over its history, with three king penguins arriving in 1914, supplied by the Christian Salvesen whaling expedition which docked in Leith.
In more recent times, it has grown to a family of sloths, five male Baringo giraffes, a baby red panda and three endangered Przewalski's horses – all of which have proven huge pulls to visitors.
And on today, its 119 year anniversary, there’s no better way to look over the history of the Edinburgh Zoo than the following 12 photos of it throughout its history.
5. Meerkat market
Meerkats await the arrival of members of the public in Edinburgh Zoo as it opens for the first time following the easing of Scottish Governments lockdown restrictions on June 2020. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell
6. Baby chimpanzee at Edinburgh Zoo
A close-up of a baby chimpanzee at Edinburgh Zoo July 1936. Photo: Fox Photos
7. No smoking in here, sir!
Wednesday the chimpanzee enjoys her first cigarette since the birth of her baby, Andrew, at Edinburgh Zoo in 1936. Photo: Martin
8. Welcoming Tian Tian and Yang Guang
A maintenance worker helps with final preparations at Edinburgh Zoo ahead of the arrival of giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang, on December 2001. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell