London Zoo, which is one of the oldest and favorite places among tourists, has been offering its guests to enjoy the incredible spectacle of wildlife since 1828. Situated in the central of Regent’s Park, the zoo houses many kinds of animals from different parts of the world. In this article, you will be able to read about five fantastic animals that you can meet in London Zoo.
1. Pygmy Hippopotamus
A Small but Mighty River Dweller
Get to know the pygmy hippopotamus, which is smaller and much shyer than the common hippopotamus. These animals are inhabitants of the swamps and forests of West Africa, they are night active and are loners. You can also see them in London Zoo where they have been placed in a habitat that looks like their natural one. It is important for the zoo to play its part in the protection of these endangered animals which are threatened by factors such as loss of their natural habitat and poaching.
2. Okapi
The Mysterious Forest Giraffe
The okapi is also known as the ‘forest giraffe’ and this animal is endemic to the dense rainforests of the Congo region. The okapi has the stripes of a zebra and the body of a giraffe and is one of the most beautiful animals in the world. At London Zoo, the okapi is displayed in a way that enables people to touch it and at the same time learn on the progress being made to protect this endangered species in the natural habitat.
3. Komodo Dragon
The Apex Predator of the Reptile World
One of the most fascinating animals of the zoo is the Komodo dragon, which is the largest living lizard in the world. Found in a few islands of Indonesia, these dangerous creatures can reach the size of 3 meters (10 feet) in length. In London Zoo, the Komodo dragon is housed in a terrarium that mimics its environment with rocks and areas for the dragon to warm itself on. The zoo is very important in the sensitization of the public on the need to conserve these endangered reptiles.
4. African Hunting Dog
The Cooperative Carnivores
Painted dogs or African hunting dogs are known to be social animals that are excellent hunters. These animals are found in the savannas and woodlands of Africa and are listed as endangered; they hunt in packs to pull down prey that is much bigger than each of them. London Zoo’s African hunting dog pack gives the visitors an opportunity to watch the complex social behavior of these animals and understand the problems they experience in the wild owing to factors such as habitat division and human interference.
5. Red Panda
The Charismatic Climbers of the Himalayas
The red panda is one of the most beautiful inhabitants of the zoo – it has red fur and a fluffy tail. Red pandas are arboreal animals, which are originally from the mountainous areas of the Himalayas and the southwestern part of China. These cute animals are found at the London Zoo where you can observe them moving around their enclosure which is a tree top and also get to know how the zoo is trying to conserve these animals from the dangers of extinction through factors such as deforestation and poaching.
Conclusion
London Zoo is a place that provides a unique opportunity to meet a large number of animals that have their own story and contribute to the preservation of the balance of the Earth. These five animals include the okapi which is very hard to find, the giant otter which is an endangered species, the Amur leopard which is also an endangered species, the Komodo dragon which is the largest lizard in the world and the koala which is also an endangered species. London Zoo is not only an exciting place where people can learn a lot about the animals but also a place which helps to save these species for the future generations.
