London Zoo opens £20m animal hospital with public viewing gallery

12 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 28

The new Wildlife Health Centre, funded by a mystery £20m donation, allows visitors to observe live veterinary procedures, including penguin health checks and post-mortems on porpoises.
The facility aims to advance veterinary care, scientific research, and public engagement, while serving as a global training hub for wildlife vets and investigating disease transmission between animals and humans.
While ZSL highlights the centre's conservation and educational value, critics like the Born Free Foundation question the ethics of captivity and public viewing, urging greater focus on protecting wildlife in natural habitats.

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