London Zoo’s iconic giraffes have stepped into the spotlight with the launch of a striking new London Underground poster, marking the start of ZSL’s 200th anniversary

celebrations. Commissioned by London Transport Museum in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), the artwork will appear across Tube stations this month, celebrating two centuries of wildlife, wonder and conservation.

The poster features a towering group of giraffes from London Zoo, with keepers holding the artwork in front of the historic Giraffe House — and Nuru, one of the Zoo’s real-life giraffes, looking on curiously in the background. It’s a playful and eye-catching tribute to one of the capital’s most beloved sights.

A historic home for a modern icon

London Zoo’s Giraffe House has been a landmark since 1836 and remains the oldest building at the Zoo still used for its original purpose. Designed by Decimus Burton, the Zoo’s original architect, it was the first purpose-built giraffe house of its kind and became a blueprint for similar structures around the world. Clearly visible from the road outside the Zoo, it has long captured the imagination of visitors and passers-by alike.

The final chapter in ‘Great Days Out’

The London Zoo poster is the final instalment in London Transport Museum and TfL’s ‘Great Days Out’ poster series, which celebrates some of the capital’s most treasured cultural attractions. Previous designs have spotlighted venues such as Dulwich Picture Gallery, the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden and the Royal Albert Hall.

It also reflects a deep-rooted relationship between London Zoo and the city’s transport network. Since the early 20th century, the Zoo has been one of the most popular subjects for Underground and London Transport posters, with more than 80 designs encouraging Londoners and visitors to travel by train, tram and bus to Regent’s Park.

A legacy of iconic design

London Zoo first appeared on a London Underground poster in 1913, illustrated by Sidney Thomas Charles Weeks. Over the decades, animals from penguins to tigers have starred in memorable designs by artists such as Charles Paine and Abram Games — the latter famously using elements of the Underground roundel to form a tiger in the 1970s.

The new giraffe poster, created by award-winning artist Eliza Southwood, continues this legacy. It also marks the return of contemporary artists being commissioned to create TfL travel posters for the first time since 2020, as part of London Transport Museum’s ‘Transported by Culture’ initiative.

Celebrating 200 years of wildlife and science

Founded in 1826, ZSL is the charity behind London Zoo and the world’s oldest scientific zoo. For two centuries, it has played a vital role in advancing global understanding of wildlife while inspiring generations of visitors to connect with the natural world. From introducing the British public to unfamiliar species to leading modern conservation efforts, ZSL’s impact has been felt far beyond the Zoo’s gates.

The new Underground poster captures that enduring mission — using art, transport and a touch of humour to bring people closer to nature.

 A poster with a place in history

The newly commissioned artwork will join London Transport Museum’s collection of around 36,000 posters and artworks, one of the world’s largest collections of 20th-century graphic art and design. Posters and 30 x 40 cm prints will be available to purchase at London Zoo and through ZSL’s online shop. The full ‘Great Days Out’ series, including exclusive limited-edition prints, can also be bought online or in person from the London Transport Museum shop in Covent Garden.

Kathryn England, ZSL’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “ZSL’s 200th anniversary marks two centuries of advancing science and animal care but also two hundred years of inspiring a love and wonder for the animal kingdom.  

“London Zoo’s longstanding presence on London Underground posters – from art deco penguins to modernist tigers in the 70s - is a testament to the love for wildlife among Londoners and tourists to our capital city that we have helped to inspire, and it is just so exciting to see our giraffes and their iconic home immortalised in this new series.”  

Matt Brosnan, Head Curator, London Transport Museum, said: “When Frank Pick took charge of publicising London Underground, his pioneering vision for beauty and utility turned the Tube – and later London’s transport network at large – into a place where great art and design could be admired in everyday life. Through his commissioning of contemporary artists, the Underground played a major role in promoting the great things London has to offer locals and visitors, from incredible parks, shopping destinations and museums to of course, London Zoo.  

“The Zoo, as one of London’s oldest attractions, was among the first cultural destinations to be featured in posters commissioned by the Underground, so it’s really special to be able to continue Pick’s design legacy in partnership with ZSL as it celebrates its 200th year.”

Emma Strain, Customer Director at Transport for London, said: “The Tube, like London Zoo, has a rich history in London, one that has long been celebrated through artwork and design and it is wonderful to be joining them in celebrating the 200th year of ZSL, the global conservation charity behind the conservation zoo, through this delightful poster on our network.

“For more than 160 years, people have used the Tube to travel all over the capital to great attractions like London Zoo so they can learn about the wonders of the world, great and small, and Eliza Southwood's artwork, like the penguins featured over 100 years ago, is a wonderful way to show the great sights to be found after a journey on our network.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “London Zoo is among our capital’s most treasured attractions and it’s wonderful that London Transport Museum and TfL are helping to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its parent charity, ZSL. Eliza Southwood’s beautiful new poster joins a long history of iconic transport artworks that bring a sense of fun and playful charm to passengers and encourage visitors to make the most of what our city has to offer, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.” Photo: londonzoo.org.