LEMUR BABY BOOM AT BLACKPOOL ZOO

…Meet the new babies this Bank Holiday…

One of Blackpool Zoo’s best loved animal troops has had six new additions in April, bringing the total number of Ring-Tailed Lemurs at the award winning attraction to over 30. Native to the African Island of Madagascar, the species is endangered in the wild, but they have been successfully bred several times at the zoo. The six babies are currently sticking close to their mothers in the small primate house and will be out with the rest of the intrepid troop of ring-tailed rascals in Lemur Wood later in the year. The news comes as zoo staff continue preparations for the first baby Western Lowland Gorilla to be born in Blackpool. Expectant mother, Miliki, is now being checked daily for signs of labour and the baby is expected to be born very soon. Proud father to be, Bukava, is the latest addition to Gorilla Mountain, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Western Lowland Gorillas are critically endangered in the wild and are the largest living ape. They are also humankind’s closest living relative. Jude Rothwell, PR and Marketing Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo said: “The baby lemurs are beautiful and it is always very exciting when we can announce pregnancies or births at the zoo. “Now the Lemurs are a few weeks old they are much easier to see as they are no longer spending all their time clinging to their mother’s chest. “We are all eagerly awaiting news on the arrival of the baby Gorilla, which will be a cause for huge celebration here at the zoo.” The zoo is open from 10.00am daily throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. -ends- PLEASE SEE BELOW LINKS FOR PICTURES OF ONE OF THE BABY LEMURS Notes to Editors • Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world wide player. • Blackpool 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, orangutans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. • Blackpool Zoo is open every day from 10am. Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP. Tel: 01253 830830

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