Z is for Zoo

Kings and queens in the past often received animals as presents from rulers of other countries. They included gifts of hippopotami, an elephant, a giraffe and jaguar cats. The animals came from places such as South Africa, India and Brazil. The creatures were often given to the zoo in Regent's Park, London because it was difficult to keep them in Royal palaces. It opened in 1827 and became very popular. Nowadays The Queen is not usually given animals as presents - but you can still visit the Regent's Park Zoo!