MOMENTOUS NEW BEGINNINGS AT BLACKPOOL ZOO

First pictures of Western Lowland Gorilla and Pileated Gibbon babies released.

A massive celebration of new beginnings at Blackpool Zoo took place on Tuesday 25th May as the award winning attraction officially opened its brand new sea lion pool and confirmed the births of its first ever Western Lowland Gorilla and Pileated Gibbon babies. ACTIVE OCEANS - £1 MILLION INVESTMENT The largest sea lion pool in the UK officially opened today following a £1 million investment in the Active Oceans area at Blackpool Zoo, underpinning its reputation as a leading North West attraction. A complete overhaul of the pool and its surround began in 2009 and it has re-opened with its very own beach area and extended 250 seat amphitheatre. Stylish mock rock has replaced the old concrete background and the cascading waterfalls are proving very popular with the sea lions. Concrete walls and railings at either end of the enclosure have been demolished and replaced with reinforced glass, meaning visitors have a fantastic view of the sea lions as they frolic around. A new male addition to head up the harem of females arrived from Spain on 19th May. BIRTH OF BLACKPOOL’S FIRST WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA The birth of Blackpool’s first ever critically endangered Western Lowland Gorilla has been hugely anticipated by zoo staff and visitors alike since the pregnancy was announced in December. The beautiful bouncing baby, whose sex is yet to be confirmed, was born during the night and was found by keepers suckling from proud new mum Miliki on Friday 7th May. Although mother and child are on public view, sightings of the baby have so far been rare, as it will spend the next few weeks clinging to Miliki’s chest until it builds strength and co-ordination. At between eight and twelve weeks it will start to crawl and ride on its mothers back before learning to walk at around nine months. BABY PILEATED GIBBON IS ANOTHER ZOO FIRST The fantastic news of the gorilla birth came just one day after keepers arrived to find that Ivy the Pileated Gibbon had given birth to a healthy baby, which will also spend all its time on its mother’s chest until it gets stronger. As an endangered species that is very difficult to breed the announcement of a successful birth, the first of its kind in Blackpool, is hugely important and wonderful news for the zoo. -ends- Notes to Editors PICTURES OF THE SEA LION POOL AND THE FIRST IMAGES OF THE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA AND PILEATED GIBBON BABIES CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THE LINK BELOW OR BY EMAILING PAULA@ICGONLINE.CO.UK • 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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