Editing London Zoo (section)

===Since 1946===

In 1962, 'Caroline', an Arabian oryx, was lent to [[Phoenix Zoo]], [[Arizona]], US, in the world's first international co-operative breeding programme.<ref name="ZSL-history" /> Today, the zoo participates in breeding programmes for over 130 species.<ref name="ZSL-history" />

In the 1980s, London Zoo housed 8,000 animals of more than 900 species, and in the 1990s, the zoo possessed 7,000 animals of 850 species; the next biggest collection in Britain was [[Chester Zoo]], with just under 3,500 animals. Many of the species in London Zoo could not be seen anywhere else in the country, such as the [[wombat]], [[Tasmanian devil]] or [[long-nosed potoroo]].<ref name="goodzoos" /> Although this vast collection was part of the zoo's appeal, it may also have been one of the main causes of its financial problems.<ref name="goodzoos" /> This contributed to the zoo being faced with closure in the 1980s. Due to the public change of attitude to animals kept in captivity and unsuitably cramped space, the zoo also suffered dwindling visitor numbers. However, when it was announced that London Zoo would close in 1991, a swell of public support in visitors and donations allowed the zoo to continue its work, attempt to balance its books and take on the huge task of restoring its buildings and creating environments more suitable for animal behaviour in the late 20th century.<ref name="goodzoos" /><ref name="could-be-zoo">{{cite web | url = http://www.zsl.org/info/media/press-releases/null,1867,PR.html | title = It could be Zoo... | publisher = [[Zoological Society of London|ZSL]] | date =4 October 2007| access-date =5 March 2008}}</ref> The BAFTA winning 1993 documentary series ''The Ark'' by [[Molly Dineen]] chronicled this period of time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 1993 |title=TELEVISION / An original of the species: Mark Lawson praises Molly |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/television-an-original-of-the-species-mark-lawson-praises-molly-dineen-s-documentary-series-the-ark-and-appeals-on-behalf-of-an-endangered-species-1472093.html |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

One benefit of the 'swell of public support' was the development of volunteer staff. Volunteers who give one day a week to assist the running of London Zoo, wearing red pullovers, are employed by both Education and Animal care.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|covid epidemic]], which started in 2020, the zoo was closed from 21 March to 15 June 2020. This closure resulted in a "perilous financial position" for the zoo due to the loss of revenue.<ref>{{cite web | title=ZSL London Zoo will open its gates to visitors on Monday 15th June for the first time since its historic closure on Saturday 21st March - after months of lost revenue put the oldest scientific zoo in the world in a perilous position| publisher=London Zoo | date=10 June 2020 | url=https://www.londonzoo.org/zoo-stories/news/zsl-london-zoo-ready-reopen}}</ref>

The Snowdon Aviary was redeveloped as [[#Monkey Valley|Monkey Valley]], opening in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=London Zoo |title=History of London Zoo |url=https://www.londonzoo.org/zoo-stories/history-of-london-zoo/snowdon-aviary#}}</ref>