London Zoo Launches Immersive 360-degree Video Experience at Outernet

Take a dive into the underwater world of a colony of penguins as London Zoo unveils an incredible new experience at Outernet. The week-long immersive video installation brings the wonder of London Zoo’s iconic Penguin Beach habitat to Central London.

The 360° video experience gives visitors a jaw-dropping panoramic view and soundscape of the zoo’s Humboldt penguins’ home. Overseen by creative studio Circus and their Head of VR Production Joby Catto, this project uses world-leading VR technology to bring Londoners closer to wildlife and inspire the conservationists of tomorrow.

🎥 London Zoo Penguin Paradise
💸 Free, no booking needed
🕗 26 July - 11 August. Plays every 15 mins.
📍 The Now Building
🚆 Tottenham Court Road Station

National Geographic videographer and virtual reality specialist Ignacio Ferrando Margelí was tasked with filming at the zoo’s penguin pool - the largest in England - which is home to 60 Humboldt penguins. The Mallorca-based videographer used a custom penguin-proof and waterproof camera rig, fusing six 4K-resolution GoPro cameras together to capture breathtaking visuals from all angles.

London Zoo penguin keeper Shannon Quinn said:

“The penguins are very curious by nature, so they were definitely intrigued by the 360° camera equipment. The greatest challenge was waiting patiently for them to swim close enough to the camera, when they made their laps around the pool. Besides a bucket of fish, the most useful tool - and a penguin keeper’s best kept secret - was a laser pointer. Much like cats, the penguins are intrigued by the little beam of light, and just like when we use it to encourage them onto weighing scales for their health checks, it proved hugely helpful in encouraging the penguins closer to the centre of the pool.”