Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo | |
---|---|
53°48′56″N 3°0′46″W / 53.81556°N 3.01278°W | |
Date opened | 6 July 1972 |
Location | Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
Land area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
No. of animals | 1,350 |
Memberships | BIAZA, EAZA |
Major exhibits | Project Elephant Base Camp, Orangutan Outlook, Gorilla Mountain, Active Oceans, Lemur Wood, Wolf Ridge, Big Cat Habitat, Children's Farm, Giraffe Heights |
Owner | Parques Reunidos |
Website | www |
Blackpool Zoo is a 32-acre (13 ha) zoo, owned by Parques Reunidos and located in the sea-side resort of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It cares for over 1,000 animals from all over the world.
History
The zoo opened in 1972 on a site which had previously been the
2005 saw the opening of the 'Dinosaur Safari', a walkthrough exhibition featuring models of 32 life-size dinosaurs around a trail.[1] "Amazonia" opened in 2006. This is a walk-through enclosure of South American animals and birds including squirrel monkeys.[1]
Giraffes were re-introduced to the zoo in 2008, after an absence of fourteen years, and over £0.5m was invested in the new giraffe house and pens.[2]
In summer 2009, penguins were to be added to the list of animals at the zoo, with the arrival of twenty Magellanic penguins from two Spanish conservation centres.[3] A £1m sealion pool was opened in May 2010 along with the addition of a male sealion from Spain.[4][5] 2011 saw the opening of a new Children's Farm and the expansion and refurbishment of the main restaurant.[6]
In 2018, the zoo opened a new elephant exhibit - Project Elephant Base Camp.
Animals and exhibits
Orangutan Outlook
Reopened in 2014, following a £1 million transformation, Orangutan Outlook is home to five Bornean orangutans - a male named Kawan (arrived in 2022 from Apenheul Primate Park) and three females; Cherie (born at the zoo in 1997), Summer (Cherie's sister and born at the zoo in 2002), Jingga (arrived in 2017 from Barcelona Zoo) and another male named Jarang born at the zoo to Kawan and Jingga in 2023. The upper viewing area is also home to a tank with Chinese water dragons and a Philippine sailfin lizard. Vicky, the first orangutan to be born at the zoo and mother of Cherie and Summer, died in 2019.
Project Elephant
Project Elephant is the single biggest development investment in the zoo's history and was built on previously undeveloped land. The multimillion-pound investment includes an outdoor grass paddock, sand paddock, pool and the largest indoor elephant house in the UK.
In 2017, the zoo's female elephant, Kate, moved into her new home. She has since been joined by four female elephants, Noor-Jahan, Esha, Tara and Minbu, from Twycross Zoo. The new house, named Project Elephant Base Camp, opened to the public in March 2018. Two more females, Noorjahan and Esha, arrived from Twycross Zoo during summer 2018.[citation needed] In October 2019 bull elephant Emmett arrived from Whipsnade Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme and he is the first bull elephant in the 47th history at Blackpool Zoo.
Old Elephant and Reptile House
Since the opening of Project Elephant Base Camp, the old Elephant and Reptile House has remained home to the majority of the zoo's reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, and fish collections. Species here include:
In summer 2018, the reptile house was closed to the public and is due for renovations.
Gorilla Mountain
Opened in 2000, Gorilla Mountain is home to six western lowland gorillas: a silverback male named Bukavu, three females named Miliki, Njema and Meisie (the daughter of Bukavu and Miliki, who was born in 2010), Moanda (who is the offspring of Bukavu and Njema and was born in 2012) and Makari (who is the son of Bukavu and Miliki and was born in September 2017).
Lemur Wood
Opened in 1999, Lemur Wood was Blackpool Zoo's first walk-through enclosure, and houses troops of ring-tailed lemurs, red-fronted lemurs and red ruffed lemurs.
Active Oceans
The zoo's sea lion pool, which houses
Giraffe Heights
Opened in 2008, Giraffe Heights is home to four female giraffes, named O'Grady, Evie, Olympia and Tiye. During the summer months, two blesbok antelopes share the outdoor grass paddock with the giraffes. The enclosure includes a walkway where visitors can book encounters to hand-feed the giraffes.
Big Cat Habitat
The new habitat opened in 2023 and is home to 2 female and 1 male
In May 2022, in order to carry out renovations to the big cat house, Khari was moved to Whipsnade Zoo and Alyona was moved to Woodside Wildlife Park. They returned to Blackpool Zoo after renovations were completed in spring 2023.[7]
In May 2023, three lionesses named Hira, Emma and Narla moved to the zoo from West Midland Safari Park to form a pride with Khari.
In June 2023 a male Amur tiger named Rusty moved to the zoo from Longleat to be paired with Alyona.
Wolf Ridge
Wolf Ridge was opened in 2012 and built on land which was previously unused. It houses two Iberian wolves named Julio and Antonio.
Wallaby Walkabout
Opened in 2010, this enclosure displays red-necked wallabies and both western grey and red kangaroos.
Small Primate House
One of the oldest functioning animal houses in the zoo, the small primate house is the centre of the zoo's primate collection and includes:
Waders and Waddlers
This is the zoo's wetland bird aviary built on the site of the old Children's Farm's waterfowl lake. The aviary is home to a variety of birds including:
Flamingo Lake
The zoo has a long lake that is divided into two. One section is for
Semi-Nocturnal House
What was once the zoo's nocturnal house, this building has now been converted into the main house for
Children's Farm
Opened in May 2011, this area is aimed primarily at children and offers hands-on experiences with several domesticated animals, including
Other Animals
Other species in Blackpool Zoo's collection include
Dinosaur Safari
Dinosaur Safari is a walk-through area opened in 2005. It displays over thirty life-size, fiberglass statues of extinct animals, including
Miniature railway
The railway is 15 in (381 mm) gauge and about 700 yards (640 m) long. Severn Lamb originally supplied two diesel locomotives which had steam-outline bodies of American appearance, and four toastrack carriages.[8]
Layout and facilities
Wheelchairs and pushchairs are available to hire from the zoo's reception. The zoo is built on entirely flat land with all areas being easily accessible.
Blackpool Zoo features two main catering outlets, with a number of additional satellite kiosks. The main cafe, known as the Lakeview Cafe, serves a mixture of hot food, fast food, salads and drinks. There is an adjoining conservatory selling ice creams and refreshments.
In the main entrance there is a coffee shop, selling light snacks and Starbucks drinks. A new Asian themed eatery has recently opened near the Dinosaur Safari, serving noodles and rice dishes. The BBQ Kiosk towards the rear of the park serves hot dogs, chips and refreshments during the summer months.
There are two main shops in the zoo - one located within the main entrance building and a smaller, seasonal shop located adjoining the Amazonia exhibit.
The zoo features a lecture theatre and smaller meeting room which are available to hire for private functions.
Blackpool zoo offers a 40% reductions to residents.[9]
Playbarn
The zoo also features a multi-level, jungle themed, indoor soft play area - known as the Playbarn.
Entry to the Playbarn is additional to the zoo, and it can be used by members of the public without needing to visit the zoo.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Blackpool Zoo – History". Archived from the original on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Giraffes return to Blackpool Zoo". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Zoo sees return of the penguins". BBC News. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Mayor opens sealion pool". Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Blackpool Zoo's sealions enjoy new home". BBC News. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Investment for 2011 at Blackpool Zoo". Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Blackpool Zoo lion sadly put down after tests showed age-related health issues, Khari returned to the zoo on 3rd May 2023". 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Blackpool Zoo Miniature Railway - Miniature Railway World". www.miniaturerailwayworld.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Blackpool Gazette https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/blackpool-zoo-how-lancashire-residents-could-receive-a-march-madness-discount-4042646.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help)
External links
- Media related to Blackpool Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website