Early in the 13th century, King John kept lions in the Tower, but the royal menagerie really began when his successor, Henry III, received three leopards, a polar bear, and an elephant from European sovereigns.
Pada awal abad ke - 13, Raja John mempunyai singa yang dipelihara di kompleks Tower, dan koleksi binatang buas milik kerajaan mulai bertambah ketika penerusnya, Henry III, menerima tiga ekor macan tutul, seekor beruang kutub, dan seekor gajah dari para raja di Eropa.