According to Wikipedia, the London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in 1828 as a collection for scientific study. The animals of the Tower of London menagerie were transferred to the zoo in 1832. The zoo finally opened to the public in 1847. The zoo also opened the world's first reptile house (1849), public aquarium (1853), and insect house (1881). An aviary section opened in 1888. British magazines delighted in articles on the latest additions to the zoo - which, to the Victorian audience, were marvels indeed, something never before seen. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

The Zoological Gardens (Illustrated London Almanack, 1853)

Sixpennyworth of Zoology (Leisure Hour, 1860)

A visit to the London Zoo.

The New Aviary at the Zoo, by A.T. Elwes (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

A look at the birds to be seen in the "new" aviary section of the London Zoo.

Amongst the Grizzlies (Pictorial Museum of Sport & Adventure, ca. 1890)

Grizzlies at the London Zoo, and an account of a cataract operation on one of them.

Some Recent Arrivals at the Zoo, by F.E. Beddard (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

The Zoological Gardens: The Cat Tribe, by the Rev. J.G. Wood (Stories of History, 1891)

The Zoological Gardens: Elephants and Their Kin, by the Rev. J.G. Wood (Stories of History, 1891)

The Zoological Gardens: Monkeys, by the Rev. J.G. Wood (Stories of History, 1891)

Old World monkeys, New World monkeys and Madagascar monkeys.

Dinner at the Zoo (The Strand, 1892A)

Noteworthy particularly for J.A. Shepherd's wonderful illustrations!

Monkey Society (The Strand, 1892A)

A first-person account of monkey life in the London zoo.

The Monkey House in the Zoo, by Fred Miller (English Illustrated Magazine, 1895B)

Butterflies, Moths, and Other Strange Insects at the Zoo, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Lavishly illustrated article.

A Lion-keeper at Leisure, by John Hyde (Windsor Magazine, 1896B)

A Talk with Seth Sutton, lion-keeper at the London Zoo.

How Animals Come to the Zoo, by C.J. Cornish (Windsor, 1898A)

Secrets of the Zoo, by Albert Broadwell (The Strand, 1900B)

A superintendent of the London Zoo shares some behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Zig-Zags at the Zoo

From 1892 to 1894, readers of The Strand were given a delightful glimpse of life at the London Zoo through a series of articles titled "Zig-Zags at the Zoo," written by humorist Arthur Morrison and illustrated by the renowned caricaturist J.A. Shepherd. These features introduced readers to specific denizens of the zoo, from Bob the Bactrian Camel to an alligator named Little'Un. The articles painted a charming picture of the quirky behaviors of the animals, their natural characteristics, and their relationships with their keepers.

1: Zig-Zag Prelusory (introduction) (1892)

2: Zig-Zag Ursine (bears) (1892)

3: Zig-Zag Cameline (1892)

4: Zig-Zag Miscellavian (herons, flamingos and other wading birds) (1892)

5: Zig-Zag Leonine (1892)

6: Zig-Zag Elephantine (1892)

7: Zig-Zag Cursorean (ostriches, emus & kiwis) (1893)

8: Zig-Zag Phocine (seals) (1893)

9: Zig-Zag Conkavian (pelicans, storks, etc.) (1893)

10: Zig-Zag Ophidian (snakes) (1893)

11: Zig-Zag Marsupial (kangaroos & wombats) (1893)

12: Zig-Zag Accipitral (eagles, hawks & owls) (1893)

13: Zig-Zag Canine (1893)

14: Zig-Zag Corvine (crows, ravens, kookaburras etc.) (1893)

15: Zig-Zag Entomic (spiders & insects) (1893)

16: Zig-Zag Pachydermatous (rhinos & hippos) (1893)

17: Zig-Zag Musteline (weasels, badgers, skunks, etc.) (1893)

18: Zig-Zag Piscine (fish) (1893)

19: Zig-Zag Batrachian (frogs & toads) (1894)

20: Zig-Zag Dasypidian (sloths, anteaters, etc.) (1894)

21: Zig-Zag Scansorial (parrots) (1894)

22: Zig-Zag Saurian (crocodiles & alligators) (1894)

23: Zig-Zag Simian (monkeys) (1894)

24: Zig-Zag Rodoporcine (pigs, guinea pigs, etc.) (1894)

25: Zig-Zag Bovine (1894)

26: Zig-Zag Final (1894)