Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo

The full official name of Edinburgh Zoo is the Scottish National Zoo. Established in 1913, it covers an area of 82 acres and is located about 6 kilometers west of downtown Edinburgh. It is the second most popular tourist attraction in Scotland, after Edinburgh Castle. This non-profit zoo has as its primary mission to "inspire and educate visitors about animals and to promote the conservation of endangered species and their habitats."

Situated on Corstorphine Hill, from which visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh, the zoo welcomes up to 600,000 visitors each year. While catering to the public and locals who come to see the animals, the zoo also participates in numerous scientific endeavors, such as captive breeding of endangered wildlife, researching animal behavior, and actively engaging in global conservation projects.

Edinburgh Zoo was the world's first zoo to house penguins and remains the zoo with the largest penguin collection today. It is also the only zoo in the UK that keeps koalas and giant pandas. The zoo is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and the Scottish Tourism Alliance. It has also been awarded four stars by VisitScotland.

According to 2008 statistics, Edinburgh Zoo is home to 1,075 animals representing 171 species. The zoo is divided into several major animal exhibits: Budongo Trail, Living Links, Penguin Rock, the Panda House, the Bird House, the Koala House, the Meet the Monkeys enclosure, the Mammal House, and the Military Animals exhibit, among others.

Edinburgh Zoo

Must-visit reason: Scotland’s largest zoo

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Britain[Britain]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Edinburgh [Edinburgh]

City where the attraction is located: Edinburgh [Edinburgh]