Plan Your Visit to Edinburgh Zoo
We are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, from 9am until:
| 6.00pm | April - Sept. |
| 5.00pm | Oct. & March |
| 4.30pm | Nov. - Feb. |
How you can help
The natural world needs our help...and we need yours! Please consider making a donation to support our conservation, education and research work, both within our parks and across the world.
Why Are We Bringing Giant Pandas to Scotland?
One of the key roles of zoos is to contribute to international breeding programmes to help conserve endangered species. Prior to the recent earthquake in Sichuan province it was estimated only 1,500 to 2,000 giant pandas remained in the wild and they are therefore classified as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is not known how many survived this natural disaster but the need for a worldwide captive breeding programme is now justified more than ever before.
The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for giant pandas at the IUCN states that, in order to ensure the survival of giant pandas, there should be a captive population of 300 – there are currently only around 200.
By participating in the breeding programme for giant pandas we would be contributing to this goal and making a tangible difference to the future of this amazing species.
Why Edinburgh Zoo?
Edinburgh Zoo would be only the eighth zoo in the western hemisphere and the only zoo in the UK to care for giant pandas. To be considered by the Chinese Government, we had to demonstrate that we had the commitment and expertise to care for this species. Edinburgh Zoo has an excellent record for breeding endangered species and a world-renowned reputation for providing expert, specialist care for exotic animals.