Celebrating 75 years of Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Zoo Manager Jamie Baker on 75 years of Battersea Park Children's Zoo:

This year marks a remarkable milestone for one of London’s most cherished family attractions. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo celebrates its 75th anniversary, a legacy rooted in animal care, education, and the rich history of Battersea Park itself. I’m Jamie Baker, proud to be Zoo Manager at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, and here’s a snapshot of our story.

Long before our zoo existed, the land it occupies played a vital role in the life of the capital. Battersea Park opened to the public in 1858, transforming former marshland and market gardens, once used to grow carrots, asparagus and lavender, into a green refuge for Londoners to escape the ever-expanding concrete jungle around them. During the First and Second World Wars, the park became a place of national service, housing air raid shelters, anti-aircraft guns, barrage balloons and even a pig farm, while large areas were turned to grow food for the city.

The zoo’s origins trace back to the post-war spirit of renewal. In 1951, as part of the Festival of Britain, Battersea Park became a pleasure garden, and a small collection of animals was brought to the site by the Zoological Society of London in collaboration with The News Chronicle. Opening its gates at 1pm on the 21st May 1951, the zoo quickly captured public imagination and laid the foundations for what would become a much-loved feature of London’s Southbank.

Over the decades, the zoo evolved alongside changing attitudes to animals and public entertainment. Curious chapters included travelling exhibitions and a dolphinarium in the early 1970s, housing dolphins named Flipper, Skipper, and Buddy. Meanwhile, the zoo quietly achieved milestones, such as the first captive breeding of an Inca tern in 1985, an early sign of its conservation credentials.

By the early 2000s, the zoo’s future was in serious doubt. In 2003, new animal welfare legislation and budget cuts meant Wandsworth Council could no longer fund the required upgrades, and closure loomed. Local residents and celebrities rallied to save their much-loved zoo. In 2004, the Council approached the Heap family, Carol, Roger and Ed. Renowned for their wildlife rehabilitation and conservation work at the Chestnut Centre and New Forest Wildlife Park, their rescue of the zoo marked a decisive turning point, reimagining it as a hub for conservation, education and community.

Following renovation, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo reopened in 2005 with a mission focused on species conservation and inspiring young minds through exploration and play. Animal numbers were reduced, habitats improved, and education facilities introduced. Over the next two decades, the zoo evolved into a modern conservation and learning hub, joining international breeding programmes for species including Bolivian squirrel monkeys and emperor tamarins, contributing to global efforts in places as far afield as Sweden and New Zealand.

Today, the zoo cares for over 100 animals across more than 45 species and is a proud member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Its conservation work spans both global and local projects, reflecting the lifelong commitment of the Heap family to our UK native wildlife. One of its most impactful initiatives is the Harvest Mouse Reintroduction Collaboration in partnership with Ealing Wildlife Group, through which more than 3,000 harvest mice have been bred and released into restored habitats, helping to return this fragile native species to a habitat from which it had long been extinct.

The zoo also champions rare British livestock. Since 2019, its farm area has focused on rare native breeds, introducing Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, Bagot goats, and native chicken breeds. These programmes connect visitors with Britain’s agricultural heritage while supporting biodiversity, genetic diversity, and public engagement on sustainable food production and animal welfare.

In 2022, the zoo launched a partnership with the London Beekeepers Association, creating a honeybee apiary and pollinator trail in the heart of the park. This project supports urban pollinator populations and provides hands-on education, engaging hundreds of children through free workshops in collaboration with School Food Matters. Education has always been central to the zoo’s mission: over 5,500 school children take part in curriculum-based workshops each year, and since 2023, the zoo has fully funded visits for over 700 children from diverse backgrounds.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested the zoo’s resilience. Forced to close and facing financial uncertainty, many animals were temporarily relocated to the New Forest Wildlife Park, while a small, dedicated team cared for our most vulnerable species. Thanks to staff commitment and public support, the zoo survived, emerging with renewed clarity of purpose.

As the zoo marks 75 years, celebrations will take place during May half-term, including special keeper talks, interactive activities, and opportunities to explore the zoo’s rich history. The highlight will be the Big Birthday Bash on Saturday 30th May 2026, with an evening of family activities, music, and exclusive animal talks.

Reflecting on the incredible achievements of Battersea Park Children’s Zoo provides the perfect moment to give heartfelt thanks to the team at its very core. They are the beating heart of the zoo; the dedicated keepers, educators, staff and volunteers, past and present, whose passion and care bring this place to life every single day. Through their commitment and tireless hard work, BPCZ has become far more than a neighbourhood zoo; it is a place of learning, treasured memories, and connection for generations of families. Every inspired visitor and animal cared for is a testament to the people who have shaped and sustained this special place for so many years.

75 years on, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo remains a place where curiosity is sparked, compassion nurtured, and every visit strengthens the bond between people and the amazing animals with whom we share our planet.