Anniversary Of The Zoological Society Of London (PICTURES)

LOOK: Vintage Pictures Of London Zoo To Celebrate The Anniversary Of ZSL

Saturday marks the anniversary of the Zoological Society of London.

The international scientific, conservation and educational charity was founded in 1826 by Sir Stamford Raffles to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.

Come 1847, London Zoo opened to the public and is now home to 755 species, including 112 that are threatened in the wild.

A hippo and his keeper at London Zoo in 1900

The zoo is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park and has been home to numerous famous animals, including Guy the gorilla, a tiny primate who arrived at the zoo on Guy Fawkes day in 1947, clutching a tin hot-water bottle.

Josephine, a great Indian hornbill was for many years the oldest animal in the zoo before her death in 1998 at the age of 53. And Belinda, a red-kneed bird-eating spider who appeared in adverts for the zoo and helped people overcome their arachnophobia.

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