London Zoo’s Giraffes Take Centre Stage in New Underground Poster as ZSL Marks 200 Years
By Animals Correspondent
London Zoo’s giraffes are the stars of a striking new poster set to appear across London Underground stations this month, as ZSL – the charity behind London Zoo – launches celebrations for its 200th anniversary.
Commissioned by London Transport Museum in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL), the artwork celebrates London Zoo as one of the capital’s most iconic cultural landmarks and forms the final piece in the Museum’s ‘Great Days Out’ poster series.
The poster features the Zoo’s historic Giraffe House, which has stood since 1836 and remains the oldest building at London Zoo still in use for its original purpose.
Designed by the Zoo’s original architect, Decimus Burton, it was the first purpose-built giraffe house of its kind and influenced enclosure design worldwide.
The new artwork reflects the long-standing relationship between London Zoo and London’s transport network. Since posters were first introduced in 1908, more than 80 London Transport and Underground posters have promoted visits to the Zoo, making it one of the network’s most frequently featured attractions.
Created by award-winning artist Eliza Southwood, the poster marks the return of contemporary artists being commissioned to design TfL travel posters for the first time since 2020.
The artwork will join London Transport Museum’s collection of around 36,000 posters and artworks, one of the world’s largest collections of twentieth-century graphic art.
ZSL has been advancing the understanding of wildlife for 200 years, with inspiring a love of nature at the heart of its mission. The new poster highlights London Zoo’s enduring role in connecting people with the natural world.
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:
“London Zoo is among our capital’s most treasured attractions and it’s wonderful that London Transport Museum and TfL are helping to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its parent charity, ZSL. Eliza Southwood’s beautiful new poster joins a long history of iconic transport artworks that bring a sense of fun and playful charm to passengers and encourage visitors to make the most of what our city has to offer, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”
Posters and 30 x 40cm prints will be available to purchase at London Zoo and via ZSL’s online shop, with the full series also available through London Transport Museum.
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