A new gorilla exhibit has led to a huge surge in visitor numbers at London Zoo, it was announced today.
The zoo has revealed that visitor figures for 2007 are approaching one million and is attributing the increase to the gorilla compound, which opened in March.
This is the first time the zoo - founded in 1826 - has reached the one million mark in eight years. It is anticipating its highest visitor figures since 1991, when a financial crisis brought visitors in their droves to help save it from closure.
The one millionth visitor - who is expected in a few days' time - will have a personalised behind-the-scenes tour and a free lunch. The zoo's marketing manager, James Bailey, said: "Our rising visitor numbers are proof that we are doing things right, and we will continue improving the zoo for both animals and visitors. We are very excited about welcoming the millionth visitor this year."
However, international wildlife charity Born Free note that visitor numbers are still a long way off those seen in the late 1950s (2.7 million). They believe the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) should "direct our energies, our talents and our money towards protecting and conserving wildlife in the wild where it belongs."
But the ZSL, itself a register charity, argues that income from its ticket sales is ploughed back into conservation, including projects in the wild around the world.
