Zoological Society of London - History

History

The Zoological Society was formed by a number of leading scientists who felt that they needed an organisation. The Royal Society, "the dignified parent of all our scientific societies," was found to have an emphasis on the physical sciences and this led to the establishment of the Linnean Society in 1788, by Dr. (Sir in 1814) James Edward Smith, a young Norwich physician. Its aim was defined as " the cultivation of the science of Natural History in all its branches, and more especially of the Natural History of Great Britain and Ireland." It was however considered that since Linnaeus worked on botany, that the society had a greater focus on botany.

On 29 November 1822, the birthday of John Ray, "the father of modern zoology," a meeting held in the Linnean Society in Soho Square and led by Rev. William Kirby, resolved to form a "Zoological Club of the Linnean Society of London". Between 1816 and 1826 discussions between Sir Stamford Raffles, Sir Humphry Davy, Sir Joseph Banks and others led to the idea that an establishment along the lines of the Jardin des Plantes was needed that would house a zoological collection "which should interest and amuse the public."

The purpose of the society was to create a collection of animals for study at leisure, an associated museum and library. In April 1828 the Zoological Gardens were opened to members. In 1831 William IV presented the royal menagerie to the Zoological Society, and in 1847 the public were admitted to aid funding, and Londoners soon christened the Zoological Gardens the "Zoo". London Zoo soon had the most extensive collection of animals in the world.

A History of the ZSL, written by Henry Scherren (FZS), was published in 1905. The History was criticised as inadequately researched by Peter Chalmers Mitchell in 1929; both histories were labelled inaccurate by John Bastin in 1970.

As the twentieth century began, the need to maintain and research large animals in a more natural environment became clear. Peter Chalmers Mitchell (ZSL Secretary 1903–35) conceived the vision of a new park no more than 70 miles (110 km) away from London and thus accessible to the public, and at least 200 acres (0.81 km2) in extent. In 1926, profiting from the agricultural depression, the ideal place was found: Hall Farm, near Whipsnade village, was derelict, and held almost 600 acres (2.4 km2) on the Chiltern Hills. ZSL bought the farm in December 1926 for £13,480 12s 10d. In 1928 the first animals arrived at the new Whipsnade Park – two Amherst pheasants, a golden pheasant and five red jungle fowl. Others soon followed, including muntjac deer, llamas, wombats and skunks. In 1931 Whipsnade Park was opened to the public as the world's first open zoological park.

In 1960–61, Lord Zuckerman, then Secretary of ZSL, raised funds from two medical foundations to found laboratories as an Institute of Zoology where scientists would be employed by ZSL and undertake research.

Today ZSL is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity. Its key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL runs ZSL London Zoo, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and Biota!, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other countries worldwide. The society published the Zoological Record (ZR) from 1864 to 1980, when the ZR was transferred to BIOSIS. It has also published the Journal of Zoology since 1830. The Society's Patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.