I don’t know what Charles Darwin would have thought about this particular piece of birthplace birthday commemoration on his behalf. Yesterday the passers by on Wyle Cop, one of Shrewsbury’s most ancient streets, either engaged at full throttle or looked thoroughly bemused. It was certainly an original idea to devote part of the road to a wildlife reserve (Wild Cop), and to turn an empty nearby shop into a rain forest wherein children could also pick up their wildlife activity sheets to fill in during half term week.
It turned out to be part of the town’s Darwin Festival – held throughout February both to mark the fact that Darwin was born in Shrewsbury (12 February 1809), and to celebrate ‘the origin of independent thinking.’ I’ll second that fine objective. We can’t have too much of it. Now for the animals:
In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.
Charles Darwin
Tish Farrell 
A street zoo…How fun. I especially like the hipo
He’s so realistic too!
Well i took a second look
The street zoo is really impressive, Tish. I’m sure, not only children enjoy those animals, but also the adults as me. I’m hoping there are more places offering this educative activities.
The children were instantly captivated by the animals. So yes, Nurul, an excellent piece of awareness raising, if strangely placed amongst the town traffic.
Is it me or is there something a little incongruous about wild African animals and black and white Tudor buildings together? But they might feel at home with the lion on The Lion Hotel 🙂
That juxtaposition was making me chuckle too – lion and The Lion. It was indeed a very strange choice of location, but at least it was easier to cross Wyle Cop than it usually is 🙂
How startling to see these animals!Good photos
Startling it was, Katherine.
I can feel from 150 miles away!
I don’t know what it has to do with Darwin really, but it looks like an awful lot of fun! I’d have taken 1000 pictures!
Lots of fun, if rather dotty. But then that was funny too – the fact that someone had the notion in the first place.
With Nairobi National Park threatened with a stupid railway line, future generations will have to rely on street zoos
All cool, but that kid sitting in that gorilla’s hand is the BEST!!
I thought so too, Ron. Thanks.
The hippo is very impressive and the gorilla looks like he’s sitting down on the job (but what job? Hogging the street? 😉 )
The gorilla was definitely in charge, Val 🙂
What a surprise to find your Main Street invaded, but lots of fun too. The gorilla looked like King Kong with the little kid in his hand. Everyone still looks well rugged up, must be cold
It was v. cold, which made the sight of tropical wildlife all the more surprising. The English phrase ‘brass monkeys’ comes to mind 🙂
I, surprisingly, haven’t heard that phrase around here….
🙂
Wonderful photos. But what indeed would Darwin have thought? And what were the instigators thinking?
That last I really would like to know, Meg. What were the instigators thinking?
Ahh what fun for the children – of all ages!
Indeed. Lots of excited big people too 🙂
Hilarious! Gave me a great big Sunday grin, Tish, though that lion doesn’t look at all approving. And the gorilla! I spluttered 🙂 🙂
Delightful, Tish!!
Glad you liked this, Jennie 🙂
It was delightful! 🙂
Great pets 😜
🙂
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They add fun to street for sure. I think it’s a wonderful to promote or educate youngsters about wildlife.
Beautifully captured, Tish!
Thanks, Amy. The children were certainly enjoying themselves.
What fun, and how very odd!!!
Agree on both counts, Becky. Very odd fun. Though the brown bear would definitely feel at home just now – perhaps not on Wyle Cop however…
I am returning to England tomorrow for a few days and dreading the cold, maybe I can find a bear to keep me warm!
Definitely should get yourself a bear, Becky.
What a great idea.
And I’m so glad that you also found a way of virtually travelling the world.
Ha! And when I was least expecting it 🙂