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.
Zoo News
Royal Patron Awards Medal to Attenborough
Chief Executive of RZSS David Windmill, Sir David Attenborough and HRH The Princess Royal at the award ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo
24 February 2010 - At a special ceremony last night (23 February) HRH The Princess
Royal, Patron of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), awarded Sir David Attenborough,
the Society’s centenary medal in recognition for his outstanding contribution to conservation.
RZSS, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park, has a long-standing relationship with the Royal family. With the Royal Charter being granted in 1913, it still remains the only zoo in the UK to have achieved Royal status. HRH The Princess Royal became RZSS’s patron in March 2009 and has visited Edinburgh Zoo on several occasions. In March 2008, she opened Budongo Trail, the Zoo’s groundbreaking chimpanzee enclosure.
Presentation of the specially commissioned centenary silver engraved medal is part of the final event in the Society’s year of centenary celebrations. David Windmill, Chief Executive of RZSS said:
“As we celebrate RZSS’s 100-year anniversary it is only right that we recognise some key figures that have contributed so much to animal research, conservation and education. Sir David Attenborough has played a significant role and as one of the most well respected wildlife broadcasters in the world, he was a natural choice for this prestigious medal. His ground-breaking programmes with accessible and interesting insights have embraced audiences across the world. Thanks to him, animal documentaries have moved from hidden niche viewing to the mass market appeal all due to his expertise and enthusiasm. This has resulted in greater awareness and interest in animal conservation than ever before.”
Respected as the face and voice of natural history programmes for more than 50 years, his memorable Life on Earth series in 1979 set a quality benchmark for wildlife film-making and influenced a generation of documentary film-makers. Critical and commercial success followed with The Living Planet, Life in a Freezer, Life of Birds and in 2008 with Life in Cold Blood. Alongside numerous other accolades, he was awarded a Knighthood in 1985. Now in his 83rd year, he continues to make award-winning television inspired by his admiration for the animal planet and his concern for its protection. Following presentation of the medal, Sir David said:
“The Royal Zoological
Society of Scotland has shown not what zoos can be, but what they should be…Budongo is an
extraordinary place where chimps can be themselves..I am more complimented and honored by this
award than I can say.”
HRH The Princes Royal also bestowed Honorary Fellowships of the Society to nine individuals for their substantial contribution to the Society’s wildlife conservation, education and research. These included: Henry Elliot, Lady Margaret Elliot, Dr Miranda Stevenson, Mary Patterson, Keith Chalmers Watson, Prof Ian Aitken, Robert Allison, Dr Andrew Kitchener and Dick Balharry and were the first to be made by the Society for over ten years.
Editor’s Notes
Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
(RZSS), a registered charity, number SC004064. The Society was established in 1909 and was awarded
its Royal status in 1913. Its mission is to inspire and excite our visitors with the wonders of
living animals, and so to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats.
Edinburgh Zoo welcomes over 630,000 visitors a year, and is one of Scotland’s top paid
visitor attractions.
Keep up with all the latest news: