Remember Jumbo? He once lived here. Now, look around. You’re standing in front of The Giraffe House. It is not just a building. It is a piece of living history at the London Zoo.
The Giraffe House is a testament to London’s rich zoological past. It is a Grade II listed building. It is one of the oldest zoo structures still used for its original purpose.
Let’s step back to the early 19th century. It was a time when seeing a giraffe was a rare treat. In May 1836, four young giraffes made their way through London. They came from the docks at Blackwall. Their names were Selim, Mabrouk, Guib-allah and Zaida. A police escort accompanied them. They were going to their new home at the Zoo in Regent’s Park. This caused a public sensation. People were amazed by these creatures.
The Zoo needed a suitable home for the giraffes. Initially, they stayed in an elephant barn. In June 1837, The Giraffe House was completed. Decimus Burton designed it. He was the Zoo’s original architect. The building was functional. It was tall enough for giraffes. It reached 6.5 meters at the eaves. Charles Sylvester designed an early central heating system. It kept the giraffes warm.
Twelve years later, east and west wings were added. The east wing housed Obaysch. He was the first hippopotamus ever seen in England. The west wing housed eland antelopes and later zebras.
The Giraffe House saw pioneering breeding success. Between 1839 and 1867, 17 giraffe calves were born here. Queen Victoria even noted one in her diary. She saw a newborn giraffe lying in the straw.
The Giraffe House faced challenges during World War II. A bomb damaged the west part of the building and the zebra wing. One zebra escaped. It was later found in Camden Town. Renovations took place in the 1960s. New buildings and paddocks were added. The Giraffe House was being developed.
Today, The Giraffe House retains original features. Its tall, rounded stable doors are distinctive. It stands as a reminder of Victorian architecture.
Now, consider this: The Giraffe House is more than bricks and mortar. It is a living monument. It connects us to the past. It shows how far we have come in animal care. It is a place where history and nature intertwine.