‘PRIDE OF BLACKPOOL’ CELEBRATE FIRST BIRTHDAY

Look how they have grown…

The first lion cubs to be born at Blackpool Zoo for more than 25 years will celebrate turning one on Friday 9th of April. Like all lion cubs, Luna, Kimya and Nikita were born helpless and blind but, with the care of their mother, Gillian, they have positively flourished at the zoo. They were given full access to their new home in June 2009 and, after receiving all their inoculations, they were introduced to the rest of the pride, including ‘proud’ first time father Wallace, in August. Jude Rothwell, PR and Marketing Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo said: “It has been wonderful to see the three girls grow over the past year and they have become a firm favourite with visitors of all ages. “Watching how they interact with other members of the pride and mimic their hunting skills has been amazing and we are looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring.” The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of thirty to fifty percent over the past two decades in its African range. -ends- Pictures show: The cubs at just a few weeks old One year on, a cub cuddles up to daddy Notes to editor • 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 10.00am. Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP. Tel: 01253 830830. For further information please contact: Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383, paula@icgonline.co.uk, julie@icgonline.co.uk or denise@icgonline.co.uk.

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