Life at the Zoo: Notes and Traditions of the Regent's Park Gardens

A vivid portrait of Victorian zoo life, this work invites listeners to wander through Regent’s Park’s famed menagerie, where exotic creatures endure frosty mornings and revel in unexpected freedoms. From the curious habits of tropical birds skating on ice to the resilient monkeys that brave northern snows, the author blends keen observation with gentle humor, revealing how even the most seemingly delicate animals adapt to harsh weather.

Beyond the daily routines, the book explores the hidden senses of its inhabitants—how lions might respond to music, the subtle beauty of animal coloration, and the surprising role of scent and sound in their worlds. Illustrated by striking photographs and delicate Japanese drawings, each chapter offers a fresh lens on the zoo’s diverse residents, from the electric eel’s glow to the graceful glide of diving birds.

Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation for the quiet dramas and delicate aesthetics that animate the zoo, discovering that the lives of these creatures are as complex and poetic as any human story.