Founded in 1913, and owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the zoo is involved in the conservation of endangered animals and scientific research. Every year, more than half a million people visit the historic institution.
Modelled on Hamburg’s Tierpark Hagenbeck Zoo in Germany, it has housed some of the world’s most loved animals over its history, with three king penguins arriving in 1914, supplied by the Christian Salvesen whaling expedition which docked in Leith.
In more recent times, the zoo was home to the UK’s only giant pandas before Yang Guang and Tian Tian returned to China earlier this month after 12 years in Scotland.
We’ve trawled through the picture archives to bring you some amazing pictures of Edinburgh Zoo from years gone by.
5. Zebras in Corstorphine
Edinburgh zoo keeper Grace Forrest walking Tot the zebra on Corstorphine streets in November 1964 Photo: Contributed
6. Special guests at the zoo
Jon Whiteley, Scottish child actor, here with an orangutan at Edinburgh Zoo in 1954 Photo: Contributed
7. Animals sent to new homes
Penguins are packed into boxes to go to Iceland in August 1963 Photo: Contributed
8. The penguin parade is a well known event in Edinburgh
Children flank the Penguin parade at Edinburgh Zoo in July 1962 Photo: Contributed