07/06/08

The penguins at ZSL London Zoo have been up to something fishy - getting in on the act of being “green” and helping celebrate the Zoo’s recent Green Tourism for London award, with the addition of environmentally friendly living green roofs to their nest boxes.

Staff at ZSL London Zoo have taken some top tips from these eco-friendly penguins in an effort to go completely green and become the first organisation to be presented with a Green Tourism for London award.

Watching well-insulated penguins, water-wise camels and the fascinating waste management tactics of dung beetles has helped the Zoo win a Silver award as part of the inaugural Green Tourism for London scheme. The Zoo is the first organisation to be accredited in the scheme, setting a new standard for visitor attractions.

The Zoo has reduced its water consumption by half in five years by replacing old pipes and improving water management, increased its energy efficiency and installed recycling points around the Zoo so visitors can dispose of their rubbish in the right way. Water butts, living roofs and bird boxes around the site are labelled and explained to visitors to demonstrate our commitment to green living and green working.

The conservation of native species was also key to the award and the Zoo uses its paths, roofs and gardens to show visitors how easy it is to turn any patch of garden into a mini nature reserve.

Sophie Townsend, Sustainability Manager at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said: “At ZSL London Zoo the future is green, and we aim to inspire our visitors to go green too. How each individual chooses to behave has the greatest effect on our planet and our future and we are delighted that through this award, ZSL London Zoo can show visitors what an ethical choice they are making by visiting us.”

The Green Tourism for London auditor Jon Proctor added: “ZSL represents one of London’s and the UK’s leading attractions. Recent developments and awards such as the Gorilla enclosure demonstrate how far zoos have come in encouraging us to value our natural world.

“ZSL London Zoo is now leading the way not only in setting a new standard for other Zoo’s but has made a strong case for what we should expect in the whole of the tourism sector.”

At ZSL London Zoo, the future is green and they aim to inspire their visitors to go green too.

Penguin admires her new roof! Credit: ZSL