Poet Laureate Marks Zoo Giant’s 200 Years With Powerful New Nature Poem
By Conservation Correspondent
The Poet Laureate has helped mark a major milestone for one of the world’s best-known conservation organisations with a brand-new poem inspired by wildlife, the night sky, and humanity’s responsibility to nature.
Simon Armitage has written The Moon and the Zoo to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the international conservation charity Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Released as an animated film on Monday 20 April, the poem imagines the moon drifting silently through London Zoo at night, observing animals and the unseen care they receive before handing responsibility for the natural world back to people at dawn.
The animation, narrated by Armitage himself, has been released ahead of ZSL’s official 200th anniversary on 29 April.
In the poem, the moon is described moving through the zoo after dark, watching over animals in quiet moments of care and attention. It ends with dawn breaking and a reminder of humanity’s role in protecting the natural world.
Armitage said the night-time setting represents the unknown, while the moon acts as a witness to the hidden work of conservation and animal care.
He said he wanted to reflect the quiet dedication behind ZSL’s work, much of which happens out of sight.
ZSL, founded in 1826, is one of the world’s oldest conservation organisations and has played a major role in public understanding of wildlife.
Over two centuries, London Zoo has welcomed millions of visitors and inspired scientists, writers and artists.
Figures linked to its history include Charles Darwin, who developed key ideas during visits, and author Beatrix Potter, who drew inspiration from the animals she saw there.
Edward Lear also began his career as a scientific illustrator for the organisation, while A.A. Milne visited with his son Christopher Robin, who famously named his toy bear “Winnie” after a real zoo bear.
ZSL Chief Executive Kathryn England said the poem captures both the wonder of wildlife and the responsibility people share in protecting it.
She said the anniversary is a reminder of how important it is to connect people with nature and inspire action to protect it for the future.
The animated film, illustrated by Greg King, follows the poem’s journey from London Zoo into the wider natural world, reflecting ZSL’s growth from a scientific institution into a global conservation charity.
