Edinburgh Zoo is one of the most recognisable zoos in the UK. From the world-famous penguins to its dramatic hillside setting overlooking the city, it has a strong public identity and a long-standing reputation. But how well does that reputation hold up when you look closely at modern zoo design and animal welfare standards?
In this in-depth review, I take a slow, detailed walk through Edinburgh Zoo, operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, examining it not just as a day out, but as a collection of habitats shaped by landscape, design philosophy, and evolving welfare priorities. Built on the steep slopes of Corstorphine Hill, the zoo’s terrain defines almost everything about the experience, and I explore how that hillside setting influences enclosure design, animal autonomy, visibility, and the overall visitor journey.
Throughout the video, I look closely at a wide range of species and habitats, including meerkats, red pandas, Chinese goral, L’Hoest’s monkeys, penguins, rhinos, otters, pygmy hippos, sun bears, koalas, tigers, lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, and many more. For each habitat, I discuss how effectively it supports natural behaviour, how well it balances visibility with animal privacy, and how space, terrain, and verticality are used to shape the animals’ daily lives. I also share what works particularly well and where I feel improvements could still be made.
One of the key themes running throughout this review is animal choice. Edinburgh Zoo often prioritises distance, elevation, and retreat space, even when that means visitors don’t always get perfect or guaranteed views. That tension between spectacle and welfare is something I return to repeatedly, especially in the larger carnivore and primate habitats.
This isn’t a quick highlights reel or a surface-level walkthrough. It’s a thoughtful assessment of how a major UK zoo fits within modern zoological standards and where it appears to be heading in terms of long-term development and welfare-focused design.
If you’ve visited Edinburgh Zoo, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. Whether you agree with my take or had a very different experience, feel free to share in the comments. If you enjoy detailed zoo reviews that focus on habitat design, animal welfare, and the visitor experience, please consider liking the video and subscribing to the channel. More zoo and theme park analysis videos are on the way.
Most content that features on the channel is original footage filmed by me. Additional media is used under the correct licenses with proper credit being given or is being used under fair use for purposes such as review or education. All third-party content remains the property of its respective owners, and any infringement is not intended.
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