Fascinating photos have emerged of London Zoo visitors riding elephants and camels, taken in the 1920s and 1930s.
The sepia images hark back to the 20th century, long before animal rights and health and safety rules were enforced.
Photos show lions, polar bears, chimpanzees and penguins in gloomy concrete enclosures behind prison-like metal bars.
A startling image shows visitors standing on a small balcony that juts out over the polar bear den.
They are almost within touching distance of the animals and have nothing to protect them.
Visitors ride an elephant that walks past other onlookers in a 20th-century photograph at London Zoo
Elephant rides drew large crowds at the zoo in the 1920s and 1930s
The image of the camel rides. The photos hark back to a time long before animal rights and health and safety were observed
The fascinating images show polar bears waiting for food
A leopard in its enclosure in never-before-seen photos from London Zoo
Elephant rides were watched by huge crowds. The photographer is unknown
A woman reaches for a giraffe leaning over the fence in one of the evocative images from a century ago
A child looks at a zebra behind bars and a fence at the zoo
People of all ages seemed to be riding the camels – here two young boys enjoy a camel ride
There are nearly 100 photos taken by an unknown visitor who visited the many enclosures of the famous attraction.
The photos, in two albums, are on sale at Clarke’s Auctions in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
They were purchased three or four years ago by auction specialist David Sims from a provincial auction house in Dorset. Their earlier origins are shrouded in mystery.
David, who works at Clarke’s Auctions, said: ‘I bought the albums three or four years ago because I like the pictures.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know who made them, but they’ve never been published before.
“There are nearly 100 images of polar bears, camel riding, penguins, lions, elephants and other animals.”
Lions in their concrete enclosure behind prison-like metal bars
Visitors were able to photograph the tigers up close – pictured behind bars at the zoo
Penguins are kept in their enclosure with chicken wire
Families depicted on an elephant ride in black and white images that have surfaced
A small monkey clinging to a railing at London Zoo in the 1900s
The photos are split into two albums, but their provenance is unknown
A family with a young child on an elephant ride. The zoo’s first elephant was purchased in 1831
A parrot that entertains the crowd. London Zoo was opened in 1828 by the Zoological Society of London to cater to the growing Victorian interest in natural science
Photos show how close the public was allowed to get to the elephants and other animals
A yoga bear posing for the camera! Nearly 100 photos of a range of animals including polar bears, penguins and lions have been unearthed
Penguins lined up in a row look up at their caretakers. Today London Zoo is home to reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals
London Zoo was opened in 1828 by the Zoological Society of London to cater to the growing Victorian interest in natural science.
The first elephant was acquired in 1831, the first rhinoceros in 1834, Tommy the chimpanzee in 1835, four giraffes in 1836 and Jenny the orangutan in 1837.
There were early accounts of elephants roaming the city shedding women’s hats and animals escaping because of drunken caretakers.
Today London Zoo is home to reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals.
There are approximately 16,000 animals of 750 species, with a 36-acre site in Regent’s Park.
The sale will take place on July 16.