00:00 ZSL will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026, giving us two years to count down to
00:11 this really important moment in our history. To mark that countdown, we're launching
00:16 the ZSL History Hive, which is asking the public to contribute stories and artefacts
00:21 to help us bring our history to life in 2026. Since being founded for the advancement of
00:26 zoological science in 1826, we've brought people closer to nature through our two conservation
00:32 zoos, we've led the way in scientific research at our Institute of Zoology, and we've expanded
00:38 our conservation work across the world. ZSL's archive dates back to 1826 when ZSL
00:44 was founded. It's primarily an institutional archive and it's one of the largest zoological
00:49 collections in the world. Some of the gems that we have include a small soap of baby
00:55 Brimus that was produced when he was born in 1949, an ostrich egg that details a map
01:00 of Whipsnade Zoo. We have a first edition origin of species, and we have a range of
01:05 admission tickets, zoo uniforms, a wide range of zoological ephemera.
01:10 Everyone who has a connection to ZSL, from world-renowned biologists to TV broadcasters
01:15 and visitors to our two zoos, London and Whipsnade, they're all part of our history and it's
01:20 only right that we celebrate together. We're asking them to share objects, memories and
01:24 artefacts, things like memorabilia from zoo visits, correspondence, and they can even
01:30 sign up to be part of a new oral archive. Everything will really help us share our story
01:35 and bring that incredible history to life. By organising this oral history archive, we
01:40 can reach out to former and current members of staff, visitors, volunteers, community
01:46 groups who can tell how they are connected to ZSL.
01:49 People can submit to the ZSL History Hive by going to our website, zsl.org/historyhive,
01:55 and filling out a simple form. Objects, images and memories that we receive will help us
02:01 really bring our history to life in 2026 and will form part of an exhibition that we'll
02:05 be putting on that year to mark our history. ZSL's archive dates back to 1826 when ZSL
02:11 was founded. It's primarily an institutional archive and it's one of the largest zoological
02:17 collections in the world. Some of the gems that we have include a small
02:22 soap of baby Brimus that was produced when he was born in 1949, an ostrich egg that details
02:28 a map of Whipsnade Zoo that sat on the desk of the superintendent. We have a first edition
02:33 Origin of Species and we have a range of admission tickets to zoo uniforms, a wide range of zoological
02:39 ephemera. With the History Hive, the public can really
02:42 help enrich our understanding of our own history. We are looking for anything that tells a story,
02:48 be it admission tickets, a piece of zoo memorabilia perhaps, or a personal story. Written documents,
02:55 as valuable as they are, only tell history from the perspectives of a few people. By
03:01 organising this oral history archive, we can reach out to former and current members of
03:06 the ZSL, visitors, volunteers, community groups who can tell how they are connected to ZSL.
03:11 As well as being a conservation charity, we are also a cultural institution, part of the
03:17 fabric of this country with connections spread across the world.
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