The Harrods Zoo

The Harrods Pet Department: A Glimpse into a Bygone Era

Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, Harrods is one of the world’s most famous luxury department stores. Known for its decadence and opulence, Harrods has become an emblem of London’s high society and a must-visit tourist destination. However, many are unaware of a curious and somewhat eccentric chapter in the store’s history: for nearly two decades in the early 20th century, Harrods was home to a zoo. Well, not exactly a zoo, but a very exotic pet department.

The Birth of the Zoo

The Harrods pet department, established in the 1910s, was unlike any other. This wasn’t just a place where Londoners could buy a canary or goldfish; it was an exotic menagerie that offered an array of creatures, from lions and tigers to camels and alligators. The idea was to allow customers to buy any animal they desired, fitting the store’s motto: “Everything for Everyone, Everywhere.”

As the pet department grew in popularity, so did its collection of animals. By the 1920s, this section of Harrods had transformed into a fully-fledged zoo. This wasn’t a zoo in the modern sense, where conservation and education are at the forefront. Instead, the Harrods Zoo was a spectacle, a manifestation of the era’s fascination with the exotic and unknown, and a testament to human ambition and luxury.

A Playground for the Wealthy

For the elite of London and international visitors, the Harrods Zoo became a playground. Parents would bring their children to marvel at the exotic creatures, and stories abound of famous faces purchasing unconventional pets. One of the most notable instances was when then-actor Ronald Reagan bought a baby elephant as a gift for a woman in the 1950s.

Perhaps the most famous animal-related purchase was Christian the lion. In 1969, two Australians, John Rendall and Ace Bourke, bought a lion cub from Harrods and kept him as a pet in their London flat. As Christian grew, the realities of keeping a wild animal in an urban environment became evident. With the help of conservationist George Adamson, Christian was eventually reintroduced to the wild in Kenya. His story has been well-documented, highlighting both the pitfalls of the exotic pet trade and the resilience of animals.

Christian the Lion, purchased as a cub from Harrods.

The End of the Harrods Zoo Era

By the 1970s, societal views on wildlife and conservation had begun to shift. The concept of keeping wild animals in cages for the amusement of shoppers was no longer seen as fashionable or ethical. Additionally, growing concerns about the welfare of these animals and tighter regulations around the ownership and sale of exotic pets meant that Harrods could no longer operate the zoo in the way it once had.

In 1976, the Harrods Zoo was closed, marking the end of a unique chapter in the store’s history. Today, echoes of the pet store’s legacy can be found in Harrods’ branding and merchandise, but the days of walking through the luxury store and stumbling upon a caged lion or bear are long gone.

Reflecting on the Harrods Pet Department

The Harrods pet department is a reflection of its time, embodying the early 20th century’s infatuation with luxury, novelty, and dominion over the natural world. While modern sensibilities might recoil at the idea of a department store zoo, it is essential to understand it in its historical context.

However, the story of the Harrods Zoo also offers lessons for contemporary society. It stands as a testament to the importance of ethical considerations in our dealings with animals and nature. The tales of animals like Christian the lion highlight the complex relationships humans can have with the wild and underscore the importance of respecting and understanding the needs of wild animals.

The Harrods Zoo serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked consumerism. The idea that any creature, no matter how wild or rare, could be purchased as easily as a handbag or pair of shoes speaks to a bygone era’s attitudes. The Harrods Zoo, while a relic of the past, offers valuable insights and lessons for the present. It stands as a reminder of the ever-evolving relationship between humans, animals, and the wider environment.

Do you have memories of visiting the Harrods Exotic Pet Department? If so we’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.

Does Harrods still have a pet department? Do they still sell pets?

Harrods no longer operates a pet shop as part of its offerings. The famous “Pet Kingdom,” which was a highlight of the department store, especially for its luxury pet items and services, was closed in 2014.


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *