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Zoo News
RZSS Centenary Celebrations
RZSS celebrates 100 years
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park is to celebrate its 100th birthday on 18 March. The Society was set up in March 1909 by Thomas Gillespie, an Edinburgh lawyer who had a vision to create a zoological park for the people of Scotland. He worked hard to realise this vision and it came to fruition in 1913 when Edinburgh Zoo was opened to the public. Following that, RZSS acquired the Highland Wildlife Park in 1986. Since then the two parks have evolved to become not only successful visitor attractions but also leading centres in conservation, education and research.
The role of zoos in the modern world has changed drastically in the last 100 years. Chimp tea parties and elephant rides were once commonplace in Edinburgh Zoo, now visitors are encouraged to observe and enjoy the animals in enclosures that closely reflect their natural habitat. Beyond the visitor experience, zoos now also play a vital role in conservation. Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park participate in worldwide breeding programmes for endangered species, which are essential for creating a safety net to guard against the threat of extinction. RZSS is also involved in conservation projects across the world, from supporting projects involving penguins in the Falklands to chimpanzees in Uganda. Closer to home, RZSS has assisted with protecting native species such as the Canna mouse and the Scottish wildcat as well as working collaboratively with Scottish Wildlife Trust to reintroduce the European beaver to Scotland on a trial basis. Furthermore, Edinburgh Zoo is considered to be the leading centre of primate behavioural research in Europe since opening the world-class facilities Budongo Trail and Living Links.
There are many activities planned to mark the centenary including the largest education outreach programme ever to be undertaken by RZSS. The Society purchased a 1976 Leyland double decker bus and a revamp is currently underway with the launch planned for early summer. The ‘Wild Bus’ will tour Scotland, visiting 100 schools and taking part in community events along the way. School children and members of the public will be able to learn about conservation on the lower deck before going upstairs to the mini-rainforest to meet live animals such as stick insects and frogs.
There will also be various talks and events throughout the year. The first of these will be on 18 March when all senior citizens will be welcomed to the Zoo free of charge.
John Spence, President of RZSS, said:
“RZSS may be 100 years old but it could not have more dynamism, vitality and engagement with
the public. Dynamism as demonstrated by its commitment and increasing role in research and
conservation and by continually finding new avenues to explore. Vitality is shown by its approach
to education and by constantly creating innovative ways to connect with visitors to both parks.
Engagement as demonstrated by the Wild Bus which will tour schools throughout the country. It is a
privilege for me to be associated with such an extraordinary organisation.”
Editor's Notes:
History of RZSS
• In March 1909 Thomas Gillespie, a lawyer based in Edinburgh, set up and became honorary
secretary of the Zoological Society for Scotland.
• Its objective at the time was ‘to advance the study of zoology and foster and develop
among people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’.
• Edinburgh Zoo opened in July 1913. This is also the year when the Zoological Society
for Scotland was granted a Royal Charter. However the prefix ‘Royal’ was only granted in 1948
following a visit from King George IV.
• We have been known as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) since and we
remain the only zoo in the UK to have Royal status.
• The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a registered charity, charity no
SC004064.
About Edinburgh Zoo
• Town planner Patrick Geddes, was responsible for the design of the Zoo. He envisioned
enclosures free of bars and cages, instead looking to immerse the animals in an area that gave them
space to roam and that also improved viewing opportunities for the visitors. One hundred years on
many of Geddes’ original enclosures are still present, such as the sea lion enclosure near the
entrance of the Zoo.
• The first animal to arrive in the Zoo was a gannet, the equivalent cost of which was
around 8 pence. A wide variety of species followed in the early stages of the Zoo including camels
and wolves and visitors began to flock to the Corstorphine site.
• However, it was the arrival of a particular species of bird that propelled the Zoo
into the spotlight and made it famous all over the world. Family links between Thomas Gillespie and
the Christian Salveson whaling company brought three king penguins back from the South
Atlantic in January 1914. These were the first penguins ever to be seen out of their homeland and
when a chick hatched in 1919 the Zoo gained global notoriety. The king penguin is now synonymous
with Edinburgh Zoo, which is why the penguin is used on the logo.
• The profile of the penguins rose again in 1951 when a keeper accidentally left the
gate to the enclosure open. The penguins took a stroll around the zoo and were guided back in by
the keepers. The penguin parade has been taking place every day since then and remains one of the
most popular Zoo experiences for visitors.
About Highland Wildlife Park
• Until recently, the Highland Wildlife Park’s animal collection contained species
representing Scotland’s past and present such as Scottish wildcats and European wolves. The
expanded new collection includes many of its existing animals but has been widened to include
animals from mountain and tundra habitats from around the world. It is hoped that these
developments will increase visitor numbers, which in turn will help fund conservation work in the
wild, both in Scotland and further afield.
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