Latest news with #LondonZoo
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Two of the biggest rodent on Earth go on holiday to London Zoo
Meet Kiwi and Gizmo, a pair of capybaras - which are the biggest rodents on have just arrived at London Zoo for a holiday in the city!The adorable duo be staying at London Zoo temporarily whilst a new habitat is being prepared for them at Whipsnade Zoo, in visitors will have to be quick if they want to spot the pair in their new holiday pad. Capybaras are found natively throughout northern and central South America. They are semi-aquatic mammals, meaning they are well adapted to spend lots of time in water - they have partially webbed feet and their eyes, noses and ears are located high on their heads so that they remain above water while can therefore expect to spot Gizmo and Kiwi having fun in the sun both on land and in the Jessica Lawrence said: "Gizmo and Kiwi are a really charismatic pair, and we're really enjoying getting to know them and their preferences and quirks."We can't wait to see the joy on people's faces when they meet Gizmo and Kiwi this May half term – we expect they'll spend a lot of time splashing around outside.' Capybara facts: Capybaras are the world's largest are closely related to guinea other rodents, capybara's teeth grow continuously, and they have to wear them down by grazing on aquatic plants and also have a less nice habit - they eat their own poop. The grasses in their natural diet can be hard to break down, so by eating their own poop, they have a second chance of digesting they don't mind being alone, capybaras also live in groups of up to 40.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
London Zoo becomes summer home for pair of giant rodents
London Zoo will be the temporary home for a pair of giant rodents while their permanent home is prepared for Gizmo and Kiwi will spend summer in the city until their move to Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, which is London Zoo's sister can meet the duo as part of the Feeding Time at the Zoo event over half Jessica Lawrance said: "Gizmo and Kiwi are a really charismatic pair, and we're really enjoying getting to know them and their preferences and quirks." Healthy appetites Capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are found throughout northern and central South America and are closely related to guinea are known for their healthy appetites - they eat plants and grasses - however they have a habit of eating their own poo as the grasses they eat can be hard to break down. Strong swimmers Gizmo and Kiwi will live next to Amara - a pygmy hippo transferred from Edinburgh as part of the zoo's conservation breeding programme for endangered species. Jessica expects the rodents will spend a lot of time splashing around outside."We can't wait to see the joy on people's faces when they meet Gizmo and Kiwi," she added.
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
How David Attenborough reshaped how we see the natural world
Over the course of seven decades, Sir David Attenborough's documentaries have reshaped how we see the natural world, shifting from colonial-era collecting trips to urgent calls for environmental action, write Neil J. Gostling and Sam Illingworth. His storytelling has inspired generations, but has only recently begun to confront the scale of the ecological crisis. To understand how far nature broadcasting has come, it helps to return to where it started. When Attenborough's broadcasting career began in the 1950s, Austrian filmmakers Hans and Lotte Hass were already pushing the boundaries of what was possible by taking cameras below the sea and touring the world aboard their schooner, the Xafira. In one of their 1953 Galapagos films, a crewman handled a sealion pup, having crawled across the volcanic rock of Fernandina honking at sealions to attract them. A penguin and giant tortoise were brought on board Xafira. And as Lotte Hass took photographs, she'd beseech some poor creature to "not be frightened" and "look pleasant". This is a world away from today's expectations, where both research scientists and amateur naturalists are taught to observe without touching or disturbing wildlife. When the Hasses visited the Galápagos, it was still five years before the creation of the national park and the founding of the island's conservation organisation Charles Darwin Foundation. Now, visitors must stay at least two metres from all animals – and never approach them. At the same time, television was beginning to shape public perceptions of the natural world. In 1954, Attenborough was working as a young producer on Zoo Quest. By chance, he became its presenter when zoologist Jack Lester became ill. The programme followed zoologists collecting animals from around the world for London Zoo. Zoo Quest was filmed in exotic locations around the world and then in the studio where the animals found on the expedition were shown "up close". Attenborough has since acknowledged that Zoo Quest reflected attitudes that would not be acceptable today. The series showed animals being captured from the wild and transported to London Zoo – practices which mirrored extractive, colonial-era approaches to science. Watch: David Attenborough's Zoo Quest for a Dragon aired in 1956 Yet, Zoo Quest was also groundbreaking. The series brought viewers face-to-face with animals they might never have seen before and pioneered a visual style that made natural history television both entertaining and educational. It helped establish Attenborough's reputation as a compelling communicator and laid the foundations for a new genre of science broadcasting – one that has evolved, like its presenter, over time. After a decade in production, Attenborough returned to presenting with Life on Earth (1979), a landmark series that traced the evolution of life from single-celled organisms to birds and apes. Drawing on his long-standing interest in fossils, the series combined zoology, palaeobiology and natural history to create an ambitious new template for science broadcasting. Life on Earth helped cement Attenborough's reputation as a trusted communicator and became the foundation of the BBC's "blue-chip" natural history format – big-budget, internationally produced films that put high-quality cinematic wildlife footage at the forefront of the story. The series did not simply document the natural world. It reframed it, using presenter-led storytelling and global spectacle to shape how audiences understood evolutionary processes. Watch: Sir David Attenborough tells the story behind Life on Earth For much of his career, Attenborough has been celebrated for showcasing the beauty of the natural world. Yet, he has also faced criticism for sidestepping the environmental crises threatening it. Commentators such as the environmental journalist George Monbiot argued that his earlier documentaries, while visually stunning, often avoided addressing the human role in climate change, presenting nature as untouched and avoiding difficult truths about ecological decline. What makes Attenborough stand out is the way he speaks. While official climate treaties often rely on technical or legal language, he communicates in emotional, accessible terms Building on the legacy of Life on Earth, Attenborough's later series began to respond to these critiques. Blue Planet (2001) expanded the scope of nature storytelling, revealing the mysteries of the ocean's most remote and uncharted ecosystems. Its 2017 sequel, Blue Planet II, introduced a more urgent tone, highlighting the scale of plastic pollution and the need for marine conservation. Although Blue Planet II significantly increased viewers' environmental knowledge, it did not lead to measurable changes in plastic consumption behaviour – a reminder that awareness alone does not guarantee action. The subsequent Wild Isles (2023) continued the shift towards conservation messaging. While the main series aired in five parts, a sixth episode – Saving Our Wild Isles – was released separately and drew controversy amid claims the BBC had sidelined it for being too political. In reality, the episode delivered a clear call to action. Ocean With David Attenborough was recently launched in cinemas. Doug Anderson/Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios Attenborough's latest film, Ocean, continues in this more urgent register, pairing breathtaking imagery with an unflinching assessment of ocean health. After decades of gentle narration, he now speaks with sharpened clarity about the scale of the crisis and the need to act. A voice for action In recent years, Attenborough has taken on a new role – not just as a broadcaster, but as a powerful voice in environmental diplomacy. He has addressed world leaders at major summits such as the UN climate conference Cop24 and the World Economic Forum, calling for urgent action on climate change. He was also appointed ambassador for the UK government's review on the economics of biodiversity. On the subject of environmemtal diplomacy, Monbiot recently wrote: "A few years ago, I was sharply critical of Sir David for downplaying the environmental crisis on his TV programmes. Most people would have reacted badly but remarkably, at 92, he took this and similar critiques on board and radically changed his approach." Attenborough not only speaks. He listens. This is part of his charm and popularity. He is learning and evolving as much as his audience. What makes Attenborough stand out is the way he speaks. While official climate treaties often rely on technical or legal language, he communicates in emotional, accessible terms – speaking plainly about responsibility, urgency and the moral imperative to protect life on Earth. His calm authority and familiar voice make complex issues easier to grasp and harder to dismiss. Frequently named Britain's most trusted public figure, Attenborough has become something of an unofficial diplomat for the planet – apolitical, measured, and often seen as a voice of reason amid populist noise. Despite his criticisms, Attenborough's documentaries walk a careful line between fragility and resilience, using emotionally ambivalent imagery to prompt reflection. He shares his wonder with the natural world and brings people along with him. Ocean shows our blue planet in more spectacular fashion than Lotte and Hans Hass could ever have imagined. But it is also Attenborough's most direct reckoning with environmental collapse. With clarity and urgency, it confronts the damage wrought by industrial trawling and habitat destruction. After 70 years of gently guiding viewers through the natural world, Attenborough's voice has sharpened. If he once opened our eyes to nature's wonders, he now challenges us not to look away. As he puts it: "If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime filming our planet, I'm sure that nothing is more important."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Back in time with a recreation of London Zoo, 1904
A London Zoo employee has spent almost three years creating a digital recreation of the popular tourist destination as it was more than 120 years ago. It allows virtual visitors to explore buildings and see the animals that were kept in the zoo in 1904, with "extraordinary" attention to detail on everything from the building materials used to the animal information signs. The digital recreation was made for Planet Zoo, a simulation game where players can digitally construct and manage their own zoos and wildlife parks. Designer and London Zoo engagement officer Ralph Stickley said he had the "spark of an idea" after reading the book London Zoo from Old Photographs by John Edwards. Inspiration struck Mr Stickley when he was at home during the pandemic lockdown. He added: "London Zoo is a really special place to work, with an incredible history, and the evolving landscape of the site in Regent's Park has long been a fascination of mine." Mr Stickley said he chose to recreate London Zoo in 1904 "as it was the year before some really significant changes were made to the site by then-secretary, Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, so it gives a glimpse into a zoo that's quite unrecognisable today". Most of the buildings recreated in Planet Zoo no longer exist. However, regular zoo patrons might recognise what is now a tropical birdhouse, the Blackburn Pavilion, which was a ground-breaking reptile house in 1904, and the Clock Tower atop a building that once housed camels, but now serves as the zoo's first-aid post. Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell joined ZSL (Zoological Society of London) - the conservation charity that runs the attraction - as secretary in 1903 and introduced new ideas to the world of animal care and zookeeping. His approach involved huge changes to how animal habitats were planned and saw ZSL purchase land to open a second wildlife park, Whipsnade Zoo, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Tina Campanella, the charity's bicentenary manager, said: "As ZSL gears up to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026, this remarkable glimpse into the history of London Zoo is a great way to see all we have achieved and how far we've come. "Ralph's attention to detail is really quite astonishing, from the intricacies of the railings surrounding exhibits to the order in which the lions, tigers and leopards lived inside the big cat habitat, you can spend hours investigating every corner of London Zoo a century ago." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Film buffs wanted for London Zoo's film archive Lions, lemurs and meerkats enjoy Easter treats Rare and unusual amphibians on show at London Zoo London Zoo
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
London Zoo: Digital simulation depicts the attraction in 1904
A London Zoo employee has spent almost three years creating a digital recreation of the popular tourist destination as it was more than 120 years allows virtual visitors to explore buildings and see the animals that were kept in the zoo in 1904, with "extraordinary" attention to detail on everything from the building materials used to the animal information digital recreation was made for Planet Zoo, a simulation game where players can digitally construct and manage their own zoos and wildlife and London Zoo engagement officer Ralph Stickley said he had the "spark of an idea" after reading the book London Zoo from Old Photographs by John Edwards. Inspiration struck Mr Stickley when he was at home during the pandemic lockdown. He added: "London Zoo is a really special place to work, with an incredible history, and the evolving landscape of the site in Regent's Park has long been a fascination of mine."Mr Stickley said he chose to recreate London Zoo in 1904 "as it was the year before some really significant changes were made to the site by then-secretary, Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, so it gives a glimpse into a zoo that's quite unrecognisable today".Most of the buildings recreated in Planet Zoo no longer regular zoo patrons might recognise what is now a tropical birdhouse, the Blackburn Pavilion, which was a ground-breaking reptile house in 1904, and the Clock Tower atop a building that once housed camels, but now serves as the zoo's first-aid post. Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell joined ZSL (Zoological Society of London) - the conservation charity that runs the attraction - as secretary in 1903 and introduced new ideas to the world of animal care and approach involved huge changes to how animal habitats were planned and saw ZSL purchase land to open a second wildlife park, Whipsnade Zoo, in Dunstable, Campanella, the charity's bicentenary manager, said: "As ZSL gears up to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026, this remarkable glimpse into the history of London Zoo is a great way to see all we have achieved and how far we've come. "Ralph's attention to detail is really quite astonishing, from the intricacies of the railings surrounding exhibits to the order in which the lions, tigers and leopards lived inside the big cat habitat, you can spend hours investigating every corner of London Zoo a century ago."
