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RZSS Centenary 1909-2009

RZSS Centenary 1909-2009

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The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) celebrates its Centenary this year. 

The Society was founded in 1909 by a forward-thinking Edinburgh lawyer, Thomas Gillespie.  Within four years, enough money had been raised to buy the estate of Corstorphine Hill House. 

Edinburgh Zoo opened to the public in the summer of 1913 and occupies the same site to this day.  In 1986 the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig,

                                  near Kingussie, became part of the Society. 

Celebrate the Centenary

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate a hundred years of the RZSS.  The celebrations were officially launched on 18 March, when seniors received free entry to Edinburgh Zoo.  Everyone had a fantastic day, particularly the Lemurs, who enjoyed a special birthday cake to help us celebrate.

Newborn Bactarian camel in 1914 © Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Flo the Grevy's zebra foal © Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
A Bactarian camel calf born in 1914. Edinburgh Zoo opened the previous year.  Large, open enclosures were constructed at a time when most other zoos kept their animals in more confined spaces. Flo, a Grevy's zebra foal born at the Zoo in 2008.  The breeding programmes at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park continue to safeguard the future of endangered species.

Wild Bus – the RZSS Centenary Tour

Coming to a school near you between April 2009 and March 2010!  The Wild Bus will be travelling to schools throughout Scotland to share the Society's education, research and conservation work.  There will be lots of activities guaranteed to spark a fascination with the natural world.   

The first outing for the bus was at the Edinburgh International Science Festival on Saturday 18 April.

Mercedes the Polar Bear

polar_bear
We are delighted to announce that all funds required to move Mercedes to the Highland Wildlife Park have now been secured, and she has moved to her new home in the Highlands! 

Read more about the Centenary appeal and Mercedes' new home.

Floral Fauna

If you're passing the entrance to Edinburgh Zoo, then watch out for the floral display of the Society's heraldic crest.  It will be visible from spring 2009 and will include floral versions of a lion, a penguin, a zebra and a sea lion.