10 fascinating Edinburgh Zoo facts you didn’t know

The zoo is home to Sir Nils Olav III, a king penguin who serves as the official mascot and Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian King's Guard. He was officially knighted in 2008 and promoted to Brigadier in 2023.

Edinburgh Zoo was the very first safari park/zoo in the world to successfully house and breed penguins. The initial three king penguins arrived from a Norwegian whaling expedition back in the year 1913.

The zoo’s iconic daily penguin parade started entirely by accident during the 1950s. A zookeeper mistakenly left the enclosure gate open, and a group of curious penguins followed him out, creating a beloved daily tradition.

It is the only zoo in the entire United Kingdom to hold a Royal Charter. Granted in 1913 by King George V, this prestigious title honours the institution's deep commitment to wildlife conservation and education.

In 2021, the zoo welcomed a majestic bachelor herd of Nubian giraffes named Arrow, Gerald, Fennessy, and Gilbert. Their specially designed habitat features spectacular, sweeping views across the entire city of Edinburgh.

Spanning across 82 acres of parkland, the zoo houses more than 2,500 rare and endangered animals from around the world. The diverse grounds also feature an extensive botanical collection of unique trees and shrubs.

During World War II, a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek fought alongside Polish soldiers and moved to the zoo post-war. He became a local celebrity, symbolising bravery, and remains one of the most famous historical residents.

The park is owned and operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Every ticket purchased directly funds vital wildlife conservation projects both locally in Scotland and in threatened habitats across the globe.