Dharma the Sumatran tiger yawns as members of the public return to Edinburgh Zoo in 2020. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)Dharma the Sumatran tiger yawns as members of the public return to Edinburgh Zoo in 2020. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Dharma the Sumatran tiger yawns as members of the public return to Edinburgh Zoo in 2020. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Edinburgh Zoo: 12 retro photos of Edinburgh Zoo throughout the years to celebrate its 119th birthday

Can you believe one of the Capital’s most popular attractions is officially 119 years old today? To celebrate, here are 12 retro photos that show Edinburgh Zoo throughout the years.

Can you believe the Edinburgh Zoo was officially opened 119 years ago today?

With pandas, giraffes and the famous penguin parade, Edinburgh Zoo has long been one of Edinburgh most famous attractions, with locals and tourists from all over the world flocking to see the world famous zoo.

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, it has grown to a family of sloths, five male Baringo giraffes, a baby red panda and three endangered Przewalski's horses – all of which have proven huge pulls to visitors.

And on today, its 119 year anniversary, there’s no better way to look over the history of the Edinburgh Zoo than the following 12 photos of it throughout its history.