Blackpool Zoo
Visit Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo is a fantastic fun day out for the whole family and top of the list for things to see and do in Blackpool and Lancashire. The Zoo has over 1500 animals, some of which are stated below, and is a great value for money family day out.
Animals
Below you will find a list of all species residing here at Blackpool Zoo. We have picked out three key species from each group to demonstrate the diversity and fascination of our animals.
PrimatesWestern Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla gorilla
As the largest of the living apes and one of our closest relatives, these gorillas live in groups with one silverback male, several females and their youngsters. Our silverback is Bukavu and the females are Njema, Miliki and Kena. It is hoped that they will breed in the not-too-distant future as Bukavu is reaching maturity. In summer, you can enjoy watching the gorillas as they forage for food on Gorilla Mountain. Bornean OrangutanPongo pygmaeus
The word "orang-utan" means "old man of the forest" and, in the wild, these apes do reside in the dense forests of Borneo. Sadly, due to destruction of their natural habitat by Man, they are likely to be extinct in the wild within 10 – 20 years. Here at the Zoo we have Ramon, the male, and Vicky, Cherie and Summer, the females. As with the gorillas, it’s hoped that they may breed when Ramon reaches maturity. Ring-tailed LemurLemur catta
These highly entertaining primates with very distinctive, stripey tails are great favourites with all our visitors. They live in highly sociable groups and spend much of their time sunbathing. The “Lemur Wood” exhibit allows you to come almost within touching distance of these delightful animals. They love fruit and can often be seen tipping their heads back to let the juice run down their throats. Halloween pumpkins are especially loved as a seasonal treat by the lemurs. More Primates: Lesser Mouse Lemur, Red-fronted Lemur, Red-ruffed Lemur, Goeldi’s Monkey, Silvery Marmoset, White-fronted Marmoset, Pygmy Marmoset, Emperor Tamarin, Cotton-top Tamarin, Black Howler, Spider Monkey, Red Titi, Common Squirrel Monkey, White-faced Saki, De Brazza’s Monkey, Western Black and White Colobus, Pileated Gibbon. |
MammalsAfrican LionPanthera leo
The "Pride of Blackpool" comprises four adult African lions, including the male, Wallace and females, Gillian, Rachel and Jasmine. In April, 2009, Gillian gave birth to Blackpool's first cubs in 25 years when Luna, Kimya and Nikita, all females, were born. Lions are one of the laziest cat species, spending up to 20 hours a day sleeping and resting. The lions' roar can be heard right across the park. Califorian SealionZalophus californianus californianus
These highly energetic and entertaining mammals have long been great favourites with visitors at Blackpool Zoo. The group are trained to perform certain behaviours for health and welfare reasons, but these also demonstrate their agility and suppleness. Two pups were born in 2009, both male, and they were named Elmo and Reggie. The sealion pool has undergone radical refurbishment and reopen as "Active Oceans" along with the penguin pool at Easter 2010. GiraffeGiraffa camelopardalis
Giraffes returned to Blackpool Zoo in 2008 with the arrival of three females from Fota in Southern Ireland, one of which, Quiver, gave birth to a male calf, Timber, (now at Folly Farm in South Wales) in early December, 2008. Two more females arrived from the same park in July, 2009, and Sonia, the older giraffe, gave birth to her calf, O’Grady, in October. The multi-level viewing in the new “Giraffe Heights” enclosure allows you to look at the animals from both ground- and eye-level. More Mammals: Amur Tiger, European Rabbit, Prevost’s Squirrel, North American Porcupine, Capybara, Agouti, Red Panda, Oriental Small-clawed Otter, Dwarf Mongoose, Slender-tailed Meerkat, Aardvark, Asian Elephant, Mediterranean Miniature Donkey, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, South American Tapir, Red River Hog, Kune Kune Pig, Bactrian Camel, Llama, Vicugna, Chinese Muntjac, Reindeer, Mountain Gazelle, Domestic Zebu, Eastern Bongo, Sitatunga, Pygmy Goat, Ouessant Sheep, Ground Cuscus, Long-nosed Potoroo, Agile Wallaby, Rednecked Wallaby, Western Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Northern Tree Shrew. |
Blackpool Zoo History Timeline
Blackpool Zoo and the site on which it stands has had a long and varied history. Before the zoo was built, the site was actually an airport. Later it became home for the Royal Lancashire Show before eventually becoming a zoo in 1972.
Before the Zoo Opened1931
The site of what is now Blackpool Zoo is opened as Blackpool Municipal Airport. 1939 The site becomes Stanley Park Aerodrome. World War II breaks out on September 3rd and the aerodrome is requisitioned as an RAF parachute training centre. To begin with there is the air traffic control building and one hangar, now known as Hangar E. Later, an extra four large hangars are built and Wellington bombers are assembled and flown off the site. After the war finishes the site would never be reopened for flying, as the Squires Gate site is found to be more suitable. The famous female pilot, Amy Johnson, is also known to have flown from this site. 1945 After the airport closes, Blackpool Borough Council takes over the site and the buildings become a storage facility for the council, including the illuminations and the promenade deckchairs. 1953 The Royal Lancashire Show, England 's oldest county agricultural show settles on the Stanley Park Aerodrome site in this year and remains until 1972 when it moves to a new site at Ribby Hall, Wrea Green to make way for the development of a zoo. 1962 A proposal to build zoological gardens on the Stanley Park site is first suggested when a corporation sub committee has meetings with Mr. N. Farrar, director of Southport Zoo. 1969 The Blackpool Tower Zoo (see picture below) closes down; the council decide that the resort should have a zoological collection; later in this year the first plans are drawn up for a prospective zoo. Other suggestions for the site include a horseracing track, a speedway, a Formula 1 circuit and even a Disney World. The latter suggestion comes the closest to being developed but it is stopped at the last minute due to pressure from other attractions in the town. 1972 After the first suggestion of a zoo in 1962, ten years have elapsed before the zoo finally opens on July 6th of this year. The zoo is opened to the public on a very wet day by Mr. Johnny Morris of T.V. Animal Magic fame. He formally opens the zoo riding on an elephant accompanied by the Mayor who rides in a Rolls Royce. To begin with the zoo houses 2 Asian Elephants, 3 White Rhinos, 2 Giraffe, Sea Lions, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Orang-utans, Lions and 2 Giant Tortoises. The zoo offices and an education classroom are housed in the old air traffic control building with the hangars being used to house the elephants, for food storage, quarantine and maintenance of the site. The original plan is for a 3-phase 100-acre-plus zoo development. Rising costs, however, mean that the zoo is never developed from the original 33 acres. The first zoo director is Mr. Cyril Grace who was formerly the manager of Dudley Zoo. During Mr. Grace's tenure, the zoo aims to focus on Australian species such as Tree Kangaroos, wombats and other Australian species. For many years zoo houses a large collection of Australian animals such as emus and various species of kangaroos, wallabies and swans. |
After the Zoo Opened1982
Mr. Grace retires and the zoo is taken over by the Parks and Recreation Department of Blackpool Borough Council. The director of Parks, Mr. Matthews, is made Zoo Director as well as Parks and Mr. George Edmonds, Curator under Mr. Grace is made Assistant Director. 1985 Mr. Edmonds leaves and Mr. Read, who was the zoo's Education Officer is appointed as Assistant Director. 1991 In March of this year Mr. Matthews retires due to CCT and the Parks Department as such folds. In August the zoo officially comes under the Director of Tourism, Mr. B Morris; Mr. Read is re-designated Zoo Manager. 1993 On the 1 st April Steven Stanley is appointed Manager of the zoo having previously been Manager of Cricket St. Thomas Zoo. During this time the way the council funds the zoo is reorganised, giving more freedom to develop. It is also deregulated for V.A.T.; this is backdated 5 years giving the Council a cash windfall of which only a small amount is actually spent on the zoo. A new entrance and larger shop are created which has the desired effect of increased customer spending. Steven Leonard of "Vets in Practice" fame opens the new entrance. The giraffe leave Blackpool Zoo a couple of years after the white rhinos, to allow greater facilities for the elephants. It is decided to completely redevelop their once shared enclosure, solely for the elephants; the paddock is extended to included a bathing pool. 1996 Steven Stanley leaves, taking up an appointment as Director of Auckland Zoo, New Zealand . Iain Valentine takes over the manager position from Mr. Stanley having previously been manager at Camperdown Wildlife Centre in Dundee . The re-organisation of the zoo finally starts to pay dividends, enabling the zoo to develop new exhibits. Gorilla Mountain, the Red Panda enclosure, Lemur Wood and the parrot display arena are 4 of the larger new developments that are built over the following years. With the animal collection growing and ever more involvement in British and European Breeding programmes, a new structure is required for the keeping staff. A trainee keeper scheme is started which can take up to 6 people on a 3-year traineeship. 1999 The zoo acquires two more Asian elephants making a total of 4 at the zoo. These come from the Berlin State Circus, which is going into liquidation. A Lemur Wood is built on the site of the old Giant Tortoise enclosure. This facility houses 3 species of lemur; Ring-Tailed, Black and Red Ruffed. 2000 Gorilla Mountain is built on the site of the old Markhor Goat enclosure giving the gorillas greater freedom to forage in a more natural setting. 2002 The new red panda enclosure is completed in this year housing 2 animals. It is a conversion from the old meerkat enclosure. 2003 In April ownership and development of the zoo is taken over by Grant Leisure Ltd. who own and operate Bournemouth Oceanarium and the Aquarium of the Lakes. Grant Leisure is a member of MICE Group Plc, and pledges to invest millions of pounds into the zoo over the following 10-15 years. 2003 also heralds yet another change in the zoo's director. Iain Valentine steps down to take up a post at Edinburgh Zoo and is replaced by Mr. Andrew Coates. 2005 As part of the agreed investment by MICE Group, a second hangar is fully redeveloped to house offices, admissions, retail areas and a Costa coffee shop. The old entrance becomes the Education Department and the unique "Dinosaur Safari" is opened. This walk round time trail with its 32 lifesize dinosaurs, volcano and prehistoric gardens is an instant success, particularly with children. 2006 Further investment results in the transformation of the old office / education block into a 66 place children's day nursery. This "zoo-nique" facility, the A - Zoo Nursery, attracts media interest worldwide, as it is thought to be the only nursery with a 32 acre zoo in its back garden anywhere in the world. Also opened, although on a temporary basis, the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" exhibition containing props and costumes from the cult film. In order to house the exhibition, part of another hangar was lined and fitted, providing space for future exhibits or exhibitions. Amazonia was also launched this year - developed in the water gardens which were closed several years ago - visitors can sample life in the rainforest, amidst animals including squirrel monkeys, marmosets, red titi monkeys, agouti, toco toucans and numerous species of parrot and water fowl. 2007 The Zoo has been taken over this year by Parques Reunidos, a Spanish-based leisure organisation with 24 other zoos, safari parks, water parks and leisure outlets. Being a company whose core business is leisure, Parques Reunidos have pledged further investment into the animal sector at the Zoo, with planned new exhibits to include more lions, giraffes, penguins and white rhino, as well as refurbishment of some of the original enclsoures. This venture heralds the beginning of a very promising and exciting future for Blackpool Zoo. The zoo's primary aim is to conserve endangered species, putting the animals first. With zoos working together across Europe and internationally too, we can have successful breeding programmes and ensure a future for many species that would otherwise become extinct. It is hoped that the planned, future redevelopment of the existing park will see Blackpool Zoo become a leading UK collection. 2008 New developments this year are being added at a fast and furious pace! The previously rough car park now boasts a level, well-marked, tarmac surface with dedicated areas for those with disabilities and a coach park and loading area. This makes access much easier for all ages, especially those with pushchairs or wheelchairs. The magnificent Arnie Aardvark's Adventure Play Barn is also open and proving a very popular addition to the Zoo's portfolio of activities. Aimed at children up to 11 years (maximum height is 4'11"), the play area keeps the kids busy whilst parents relax on the soft, comfortable sofas or enjoy a snack from the "chip-free" healthy coffee shop. Due to popular demand, giraffes returned to the Zoo during the summer. Always at the top of the list of most-wanted animals, these beautiful, gentle giants undoubtedly captivate visitors and staff alike. 2009 Another favourite of the visitors made a welcome return in 2009 - penguins. The first phase of the Active Oceans area was completed with a raised pool with underwater viewing of these very entertaining birds. The species taking up residency were Magellanic penguins, native to South America and the only ones of their kind in the UK. A sad and significant loss in 2009 was our Amur tiger, Jagasar. In his mid-twenties, he was thought to be the oldest Amur tiger in captivity in Europe. A young male was then brought in, Zambar, from Marwell Zoo and it's hoped that a female will join him in the not-too-distant future for breeding. Blackpool Zoo's first ever lion cubs also arrived in 2009. Born to lioness Gillian, all three cubs are female and will remain within the pride for about two years. 2010 Active Oceans was completed in early 2010 with the complete refurbishment of the sealion pool, already the largest pool in Europe. The asurround was naturalized and a 300 seater grandstand added. Huge glass windows allow superb viewing of the training routines performed several times a day. Unusually, too, the trainers swim with the animals during the display. A new breeding male, Max, arrived from Madrid and settled in very well. The Giraffe Heights walkway was also extended and the aardvarks given a great outdoor area which they proceeded to dig up with their massive claws! Wallaby Walkabout opened offering close encounters with a variety of marsupials including red and grey kangaroos as well as the wallabies. Autumn 2010 sees the beginning of yet more development within the Animal Department as the Children's Zoo is being completely rebuilt in the South West Paddocks area of the Zoo. This will allow much better viewing of the smaller mammals both inside and out as a play area |