From screen to quiz, answer 15 questions.
Two hundred years in, and it turns out our conservation Zoos have quietly built up quite the showreel.
From a gargantuan chalk lion peering over Joan Crawford's shoulder in one of the worst sci-fi films ever made, to Harry Styles whipping off his coat in our Grade I listed Penguin Pool - both London and Whipsnade Zoos have played host to Bond villains, wizards, werewolves and one giraffe who refused to be upstaged by Netflix's biggest teen drama.
Some of it you'll have spotted. Most of it, we'd wager, you haven't.
So, how sharp is your eye - and how good is your memory?
It's time to find out whether you know your Reptile House cameos from your penguin pool photoshoots, and your Wellington Zoo stand-ins from the real thing. Ready to test your knowledge of two centuries' worth of lights, camera, and animal action?
Question 1
In 2002's About a Boy, Will and Marcus sit down for a snack next to an iconic bronze sculpture at London Zoo. But what species is featured in the sculpture?
Well done, correct answer: dung beetle
The sculpture, outside of Tiny Giants, has now been joined by a mosaic snake by iconic artist Linder to mark ZSL's 200th anniversary.
(c) Flixpix
Bad luck, correct answer: dung beetle
The sculpture, outside of Tiny Giants, has now been joined by a mosaic snake by iconic artist Linder to mark ZSL's 200th anniversary.
(c) Flixpix
Question 2
In 2022, Harry Styles filmed part of a music video in our Grade I listed Lubetkin Penguin Pool. But which hit song was it for?
Well done, correct answer: As It Was
The song went on to become the most streamed song of the year globally.
Credit: You Tube
Bad luck, correct answer: As It Was
The song went on to become the most streamed song of the year globally.
Credit: You Tube
Question 3
From one Harry to another, at which London Zoo location did Harry Potter discover he could speak Parseltongue in 2001?
Well done, correct answer: The Reptile House
Today, you’ll find ZooTown, a magical learning space for children to enjoy, in our former Reptile House.
(c) Collection Christophel
Bad luck, correct answer: The Reptile House
Today, you’ll find ZooTown, a magical learning space for children to enjoy, in our former Reptile House.
(c) Collection Christophel
Question 4
In 2004, a film about a famous sporting tournament used London Zoo's entrance as a stand-in. But what was the sport?
Well done, correct answer: tennis
The film was Wimbledon, starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
(c) Working Title Films
Bad luck, correct Answer: tennis
The film was Wimbledon, starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
(c) Working Title Films
Question 5
The closing scene of Withnail & I (1987) sees a famous Shakespearean quote delivered to some of our London Zoo residents? But which species is he talking to?
Well done, correct answer: wolves
London Zoo's wolves also feature in An American Werewolf in London (1981).
(c) Collection Christophel
Bad luck, correct answer: wolves
London Zoo's wolves also feature in An American Werewolf in London (1981).
(c) Collection Christophel
Question 6
Which 2023 film featured a CGI recreation of one of our giraffes?
Well done, correct answer: Wonka
Our iconic Giraffe House has been home to these magnificent animals since 1836.
(c) Framestore
Bad luck, correct answer: Wonka
Our iconic Giraffe House has been home to these magnificent animals since 1836.
(c) Framestore
Question 7
Which popular band filmed scenes from a 1993 single in London Zoo's aquarium?
Well done, correct answer: Duran Duran
The song was 'Come Undone'. Did you know, we invented the word aquarium? In 1853, we opened the world's first ever public aquarium – and merged the words "aqua" and "vivarium."
Credit: You Tube
Bad luck, correct answer: Duran Duran
The song was 'Come Undone'. Did you know, we invented the word aquarium? In 1853, we opened the world's first ever public aquarium – and merged the words "aqua" and "vivarium."
Credit: You Tube
Question 8
In 2001, a fresh-faced chef who favoured cookery in the buff headed up to Whipsnade to film an advert for Sainsbury's, but what was his name?
Well done, correct answer: Jamie Oliver
An early career highlight, Jamie was the face of Sainsbury's new-at-the-time Blue Parrott Café range.
(c) Shutterstock
Bad luck, correct answer: Jamie Oliver
An early career highlight, Jamie was the face of Sainsbury's new-at-the-time Blue Parrott Café range.
(c) Shutterstock
Question 9
Whipsnade's white lion prowls the background of 1970's Trog, widely regarded as one of the worst sci-fi films ever made. Its titular monster is rumoured to be wearing a hand-me-down costume from which movie classic?
Well Done, correct answer: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Director Kubrick's mime-turned-actor Dan Richter spent months studying London Zoo's Guy the Gorilla to choreograph the "Dawn of Man" apes for 2001 - so those famous costumes had already been to our gates once before Trog borrowed them.
Bad luck, correct answer: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Director Kubrick's mime-turned-actor Dan Richter spent months studying London Zoo's Guy the Gorilla to choreograph the "Dawn of Man" apes for 2001 - so those famous costumes had already been to our gates once before Trog borrowed them.
Question 10
Our multi-generational elephant herd at Whipsnade got a wash from a young visitor on Teletubbies' tummyvision way back in 1997. But on which 'tubbies tummy did our elephants appear?
Well done, correct answer: Po
The red 'tubby tuned viewers in for our elephant Anna having a bath on the tube almost 30 years ago.
(c) Shutterstock
Bad luck, correct answer: Po
The red 'tubby tuned viewers in for our elephant Anna having a bath on the tube almost 30 years ago.
(c) Shutterstock
Question 11
Heartstopper's Nick Nelson celebrates his birthday at Whipsnade in Series 3 - but which animal reportedly stole the scene, unbothered by rain or cameras throughout filming?
Well done, correct answer: giraffe
One of our reticulated giraffes turned out to be the real star of the episode - camera-ready, rain-proof, and completely unfazed by the Heartstopper cast. A professional, frankly.
(c) Netflix
Bad luck, correct answer: Giraffe
One of our reticulated giraffes turned out to be the real star of the episode - camera-ready, rain-proof, and completely unfazed by the Heartstopper cast. A professional, frankly.
(c) Netflix
Question 12
Which of the S Club 7 members, who visited Whipsnade when their first single came out in 1999, later starred in ITV's Primeval that was also shot right here at the same conservation Zoo?
Well Done, correct answer: Hannah Spearitt
Hannah Spearritt played Abby in Primeval, using her sonar-scrambling elephant escape at "Wellington Zoo" - really Whipsnade - to survive the finale of Series 1.
Bad Luck, correct answer: Hannah Spearitt
Hannah Spearritt played Abby in Primeval, using her sonar-scrambling elephant escape at "Wellington Zoo" - really Whipsnade - to survive the finale of Series 1.
Question 13
Young wildlife presenter Aneeshwar Kunchala first came to our zoos filming CBeebies' Go Wild in 2024 - but he returned to London Zoo a year later in a very different role. What was he there to do?
Well done, correct answer: officially open ZooTown as its Mayor
A year after his Go Wild filming, Aneeshwar returned to London Zoo in October 2025 to officially open ZooTown - an immersive play space for children built inside our historic Reptile House.
(c) BBC
Bad luck, correct answer: officially open ZooTown as its Mayor
A year after his Go Wild filming, Aneeshwar returned to London Zoo in October 2025 to officially open ZooTown - an immersive play space for children built inside our historic Reptile House.
(c) BBC
Question 14
Long before playing Inspector Clouseau, a young Peter Sellers rode a camel at Whipsnade Zoo for a 1956 ITV sketch show written by Spike Milligan - arguably the first ever comedy sketch show to hit screens. But what was it called?
Well done, correct answer: A Show Called Fred
Sellers filmed the camel scene as part of the "Fred" series - Spike Milligan's genre-bending 1956 sketch show for ITV, which ran across two connected runs, A Show Called Fred and its sequel Son of Fred. Minimal, surreal, and hugely influential on what Monty Python would do over a decade later.
(c) Dunstable Gazette
Bad luck, correct answer: A Show Called Fred
Sellers filmed the camel scene as part of the "Fred" series - Spike Milligan's genre-bending 1956 sketch show for ITV, which ran across two connected runs, A Show Called Fred and its sequel Son of Fred. Minimal, surreal, and hugely influential on what Monty Python would do over a decade later.
(c) Dunstable Gazette
Last Question
Which of the following TV presenters has not (yet!) hosted an event at Whipsnade Zoo?
Correct answer: Fleur East
Fleur East has never presented a Whipsnade visitor event - but in 2018, she took part in the Friendly Spider Programme at London Zoo alongside Sinitta and author Kathy Lette, joining members of the public to mark the course's 25th anniversary.
(c) ZSL
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 0 - 2:
You failed the audition
You were in the room, but you might've missed the memo. Maybe you need a little practice. Why not hone your trivia skills with a visit to London or Whipsnade Zoo.
Thanks for taking part!
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 3 - 5
You're an extra
You turned up, that's the most important thing. Still, even background artists get their moment - now's your chance for a re-shoot. Come and brush up on your zoo trivia in person, our animals are always ready for their close-up.
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 6 - 7
Supporting cast
Not bad - you clearly know a familiar face or two when you see one. You're the reliable co-star who always turns up prepared, even if the lead role's still out of reach. A few more visits to our conservation Zoos and you'll be in-the-know.
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 8 - 10
You're a scene stealer
You've got range. Whether it's giraffes upstaging Netflix dramas or elephants going full method for a VFX team, you know exactly which of our residents have been quietly running the show for decades.
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 11 - 13
Leading role
It's all about you and you handled the pressure like a pro. Yes there were a few slips now and again but everyone's human. When it comes to your Whipsnade and London Zoo trivia you know your lines.
{number correct}/{number of questions} Correct Answers
How did you do?
Score 14 - 15
Standout performance
Roaring applause - take a bow, you're a surefire award nominee. You know our screen history from our historic architecture right down to our famous residents. Consider yourself an honorary member of the Whipsnade and London Zoo commercial filming teams.