Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Founded1909; 115 years ago (1909)
FounderThomas Haining Gillespie
TypeNon-profit organization
FocusEdinburgh Zoo
Highland Wildlife Park
Location
Websitewww.rzss.org.uk

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a learned society and registered charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland.[1] It was founded by Thomas Haining Gillespie in 1909. In 1913, Edinburgh Town Council bought a large plot of land on Corstorphine Hill for the society - this later opened to the public as Edinburgh Zoo.[2] The society received its Royal Charter in 1913.[3] The principal objective of the society mentioned in the original charter is:

To promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life.[4]

In 1986, the society acquired the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Inverness-shire.[5]

  1. ^ "Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Registered Charity no. SC004064". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
  2. ^ "Review of Edinburgh Zoo". goodzoos.com website. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  3. ^ Cf. http://www.rzss.org.uk/about-rzss
  4. ^ "History of Edinburgh Zoo". Edinburgh Zoo website. Archived from the original on 12 June 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  5. ^ "Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig hits 40th year". BBC News. 27 June 2012.