The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
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Whipsnade
Double-breasted zookeepers offer elephant rides, hyenas, flamingoes, kangaroos, ostriches, lions, tigers, polar bears and peacocks.
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Overview
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, as it is now branded, opened in May 1931 – a little over a year before this film was made, and is Britain’s largest zoo and wildlife park, spreading over 600 acres. The only other zoo owned and run by ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park. Some of the larger animals featured in the film are most likely those taken on from a bankrupt travelling menagerie, and some were walked to the park from nearby Dunstable station.
The Zoological Society of London (now known as ZSL) bought land and opened the first zoological garden for fellows of the Society only, in 1828. It is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and was often referred to as Regent’s Zoo due to its location in the north-east corner of Regents Park in central London. The Society was awarded a Royal Charter the following year, but the general public had to wait until 1847 to be granted access.
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