After what I have read, that, for example, most famous zoo in the U.S. is the San Diego zoo, or famous zoo for Australians is Singapore zoo, I was wondering what European zoos would have the names that are ''brands'' itself and that are most widely known throughout the world. I think that for Australia, the most famous zoo is the Australia zoo after the Crocodile hunter series? You can add other suggestions via posts.
out of that list, London Zoo. That's it. Maybe Berlin Zoo at a stretch but I'd wager that if you asked a non-European "common person" (i.e. not a zoo nut) to name a zoo in Europe then London Zoo would be the one most would be able to name. You certainly wouldn't get someone saying Howletts or Walsrode.
In my opinion, it's zoos that are associated with popular cities that are the most widely known such as London Zoo, Paris Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Rome Zoo, or Copenhagen Zoo.
I tried to think of what zoos might be considered 'brands' outside their home countries or immediately adjacent ones. This is the list I came up with: San Diego Zoo London Zoo Singapore Zoo Disney's Animal Kingdom Sea World (obviously much tarnished these days) You could potentially make a case for Taronga Zoo, though I'm unconvinced it's a 'brand' as such, rather than simply the major zoo in the Australian city most international tourists visit.
Disneyland, or Disneyworld, is obviously a HUGE brand, but I'd never heard of DAK until I joined ZooChat. It's not quite a brand, but I think a lot more people have heard of Copenhagen Zoo these days...
I think Prague zoo should be on there and the jardin des plantes also more people know of the Berlin zoo and Zurich zoo than Tierpark Berlin and Basel zoo
In terms of cultural fame just London and the Aspinall collections (in GB/UK). London Zoo does not deliver on expectations, but it has intense significance to the capital, and to historians of zoo and scientific history. Like other symbols of London it also represents England, GB, and the UK. It's historical value is comparable to the Jardin des Plantes and it's symbolic value is akin to Big Ben. At least to the British. Only Edinburgh, the Aspinall collections and Jersey come close. EDIT: What about Hagenbeck in Hamburg?
The World Famous San Diego Zoo, as they rightly refer to themselves, really is the only one that is world famous. No other zoo would fit your description of "known throughout the world." This is assuming you refer to the general public and not to zoo fans. And since San Diego is not located in Europe, the answer to your question is none.
Another one outside Europe that folks could argue has reached world famous status would be the Australia Zoo. Sure it is not as popular on this site but I think that a lot of everyday folks recognize the Irwin family and in doing so, also know about the Australia Zoo.
I think the problem with London Zoo is that it is a 'brand' built purely on history. Today as a collection, I suspect it wouldn't make the top 30 in Europe
Yes most definitely. Needs to be reevaluated so as to live up to its heritage: which famous London animals the public want to see, was it historically famous for. Then design modern enclosures for them. It would help housing large animals were the grounds to be expanded.
I agree 100% with what @Arizona Docent said. I can't think of any other zoo in the world that has marketed itself as widely and successfully as San Diego has. Of the ones on the list, I would agree with the consensus here that London would come the closest because of its history and past prominence.