REALLY WILD SUMMER AT BLACKPOOL ZOO

Blackpool Zoo is gearing up for a really wild summer following the announcement of a whole host of amazing animal births and the launch of lots of new attractions. Britain’s biggest and best sea lion pool burst into action at the end of May and, after a complete overall, it now has 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 animals as they swim, relax and play. A new male addition, Max, arrived from Spain at the end of May and he has proved an instant hit with the ladies in the harem. Over at the children’s zoo area there is a new Wallaby Walkabout, where the 11 adult and six baby animals are free to hop around visitors as they wander through. The aardvarks have also been treated to a new home that includes a cosy cave and huge termite mound. Blackpool Zoo, which has just been awarded Lancashire Visitor Attraction of the Year by the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, has also experienced a huge baby boom in 2010. The birth of the attraction’s first ever Western Lowland Gorilla and Pileated Gibbon babies are fantastic news for the zoo and a vital part of the worldwide breeding programme of these two endangered species. Both babies are currently clinging to their respective mothers until they are strong enough to start crawling later in the summer. Other births include Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Colobus Monkeys, Demoiselle Cranes and a Bactrian Camel. Keepers at the Zoo are hoping for even more new babies throughout the remainder of 2010. Zambar the Amur Tiger arrived from Marwell in February this year and the big cat keepers are eagerly awaiting news of when a new mate for him will arrive. Blackpool Zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes. It is the perfect family day out and animal lovers of any age will enjoy the talks and feeds that take place around the Zoo every day. Throughout the summer the Zoo is open from 10.00am until 17.45pm daily. Prices: Adults Daily £14.50 Membership (until Dec 31st 2010) £29.00 Disabled / Carer £8.00 Children (under 3’s free) Daily £10.50 Membership (until Dec 31st 2010) £20.50 Disabled £6.50 Concessions (senior/student) Daily £12.50 Membership (until Dec 31st 2010) £25.00 Carer £8.00 Discounted Family tickets Two adults and Two Children Daily £44.00 Membership (until Dec 31st 2010) £88.00 Two adults and three children Daily £53.00 Membership until Dec 31st 2010) £106.00 Visitors can receive up to 15% discount and avoid the queues if they book online at www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk ends Links to images can be found below

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