BLACKPOOL ZOO FLYING HIGH WITH NEW ATTRACTION

The latest investment at Blackpool Zoo is sure to have bird lovers flocking!

Species from across the globe are settling into a 10,000sq ft purpose built aviary, which cost £12,500 and is situated on the site of the former Children’s Zoo.

The critically endangered Waldrapp Ibis has taken residence along with African Spoonbills, Sacred Ibis, Black-crowned Night Herons, White Storks, Little Egrets and Eider Ducks.

With such a huge array of birds there is so much to see and hear. Watch out for the African Spoonbill, which uses its open bill to catch food by swinging it from side to side in the water.

Or listen for the hard croak of the Sacred Ibis, which, in ancient Egypt, was used to make pools safe for bathing by feeding on the water snails that carried deadly parasites.

The Waldrapp Ibis, with its distinctive long, curved red bill, disappeared from Europe over 30 years ago and there is thought to be only around 500 left in Southern Morocco and Syria.

Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “It is wonderful to see a new home for so many beautiful and interesting birds.

“The sights and sounds are amazing and, as the birds hail from around the world, there is always something new for people to learn.

“This is the latest attraction in our investment programme, which is aimed at continually adding to the experience of visiting Blackpool Zoo and we are very much looking forward to seeing the public’s reaction.”

The aviary has been under construction throughout the spring and the birds moved in during summer.

Bird lovers can save 10 per cent on entry fee by booking online at www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk

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Pictures show: Please click on below links to download images of the aviary and some of the residents!

More information about Blackpool Zoo

A bumper year of momentous first time births, huge investment and a hat-trick of awards saw Blackpool Zoo’s visitor numbers hit new record heights in 2010.

An investment of over £1million during the year led to the grand opening of the UK’s biggest sea lion pool, which completes the zoo’s Active Oceans attraction, a brand new Wallaby Walkabout and a redeveloped home for the zoo’s resident Aardvarks Laurel and Arnie.

Blackpool Zoo won three prestigious awards during 2010. Visit Blackpool crowned Blackpool Zoo its Visitor Attraction of the Year, The Be Inspired Business Awards hailed it Tourism Business of the Year and it was also voted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.

Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world-wide player. The zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes.

The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orang-utans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It is open every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day, from 10am.

For further information please contact:

Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383

paula@icgonline.co.uk or julie@icgonline.co.uk or denise@icgonline.co.uk.

Out of hours mobile number: Paula Holden - 07772268378

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