UK zoos shut doors as 38C heatwave hits

Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo are set to implement early closures on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as the UK experiences an extreme heatwave. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for "extreme heat," with temperatures predicted to climb as high as 38C in some areas of England. These closures, two hours earlier than the usual 6pm closing time, are a proactive measure to ensure the well-being of the animals, zoo staff, and visitors.

Conservation charity ZSL, which operates both zoos, announced the temporary change via social media. The statement noted that while the zoos would welcome visitors as usual during the day, the earlier closure would protect everyone from the hottest part of the afternoon. This decision follows similar early closures during a heatwave at the end of June when temperatures also soared into the high 30s Celsius.

The extreme heat warning covers both Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire and London Zoo in central London. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued an amber heat health alert for these areas. Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer noted that while this heatwave might be shorter-lived than previous ones, the widespread mid-30s Celsius temperatures pose significant risks, necessitating the issued warning.