In the UK, local authorities have the responsibility for licensing, regulating and inspecting zoos. They can theoretically close zoos if they are not following the conditions of the licence.
But how many zoos are there – and who keeps track of them all? We take a look.
How many zoos are there in the UK?
There’s no central register of all the zoos in the UK, but international wildlife charity Born Free says it has the most comprehensive database and that there are more than 300.
How are zoos regulated?
A document called the ‘Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice’ gives guidance on how zoo animals should be housed and other aspects of zoo husbandry. It is due to be updated. Part of the requirements on a zoo are to contribute to species conservation and public education.
Born Free argues that the current licensing system does not work. Local authorities have no real interest in properly regulating and inspecting zoos. Even where zoos with poor practices are identified, such as South Lakes Safari Zoo, councils rarely step in.
Born Free has long argued there should be a central inspectorate and regulator, similar to Ofsted for schools and Ofwat for the water industry.
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Main image: a zookeeper counts Humboldt penguins during the annual stocktake at ZSL London Zoo in 2025/Getty
