The question for May’s Bookworm competition is :
What did the cowardly lion want from the Wizard of Oz?
Email your answer with name, age and contact number to judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk or fill in a form if you’re visiting the Zoo.
You could win a copy of the book and a family day pass as well as being entered into a draw for a 2011 Family Membership worth over £100.
Stripes are in!
Lynne Gorrie has gone all tigertastic after a hair make-over in aid of her favourite charity 21st Century Tiger.
The Blackpool Zoo regular decided to have her hair styled just like her favourite resident Zambar the Amur tiger after learning of the plight of his critically endangered relatives across the world at a members’ only presentation at the zoo.
After weeks of fundraising in the area Lynne, who is 54, went to Athena Hair on Waterloo Rd in Blackpool to have her long hair shaved off and tiger stripes dyed onto her head.
She has raised over £300 for 21st Century Tiger, which supports projects to help save tigers across the world.
She said: “The members’ presentation at the zoo inspired me to take action. I decided on the hair style as it really makes a statement and people will notice it and ask me why I have had it done. I want to spread the message that we need to act now, before it is too late for tigers across the globe. My hair will grow back but once these beautiful tigers are gone they are gone for ever, which would be an absolute tragedy.”
Esther Conway of 21st Century Tiger commented: “Lynne has shown (or should that be shorn!) the lengths that good folk will go to for tiger conservation and 21st Century Tiger is immensely grateful to Lynne for her support in the Year of the Tiger.”
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo said: “Lynne has been keeping us up to date with all her fundraising activities over the past month and we have been really looking forward to seeing her with her new look – which was well worth wait. She came straight to the zoo after her make over was complete and collected another £50 in a day. It is fantastic to see that our visitors are as enthusiastic about our animals as we are and we look forward to seeing what fundraising ideas she will come up with next!”
Animal mad Rachel Owen from Standish in Wigan is officially a bookworm!
The seven year old has been crowned the first winner of the Blackpool Zoo bookworm competition, which was launched on World Book Day in March.
On a recent visit to the zoo Rachel, who attends Shevington Vale Primary School, spotted the competition and instantly knew the answer to the question: Name the tiger in Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”.
Her prize was a special edition “Jungle Book” and she has been entered into the end of year draw to win a collection of books and an annual membership for 2011.
Each month a question is being posted on the zoo’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and handed out to all visitors as well as children who attend the education department’s workshops.
Budding bookworms can then research the answer and either hand it into reception or the education department as they leave or email it to Judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk to be in with the chance to win that month’s must read book.
Julia Owen, Rachel’s mother, said: “Rachel was over the moon when we received a letter announcing she was the first winner of the Bookworm competition.
“We are regular visitors to the zoo as both Rachel and her brother, Matthew, who is ten are crazy about animals – in fact they both want to be zoo vets when they grow up!
“She has read the book cover to cover lots of times now and even took it in for her show and tell at school.
“I am sure we will be back at the zoo soon to see all the animals, especially Rachel’s favourite, the Red Pandas.”
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo said: “Visitors come to the zoo for fun but they always go away having learned something and we want to build on this and reward our young supporters by giving them books to read with their families.
“We are thrilled that Rachel was so excited about winning the competition and wish her luck in the draw to win the family membership at the end of the year.”
Congratulations to Rachel from Wigan who won a copy of Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” in our March competition. The answer was, of course, “Shere Khan”.
April’s question is taken from another classic story, Anna Sewell’s “Black Beauty” and the question, to win a copy of the book and to be entered into a draw in December for a 2011 family membership is :
What colour was Black Beauty?
Answers by email to : judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk with the child’s name, age and a contact phone number, or you can complete a form at the Zoo.
The winner will be drawn from the correct answers on 30th April.
Blackpool Zoo is on the hunt for a new species of animal to add to its collection – a group of intrepid bookworms!
The award winning attraction launched a new competition on World Book Day that will offer its younger fans the chance to win animal related books every month.
In addition, at the end of this year the zoo will choose from all the correct entries and present an overall winner with a collection of books and an annual membership for 2011.
Each month a question is being posted on the zoo’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and handed out to all visitors as well as children who attend the education department’s workshops.
Budding bookworms can then research the answer and either hand it into reception or the education department as they leave or email it to judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk to be in with the chance to win that month’s must read book.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo said: “More than 45,000 people passed through our education department last year and this competition is another way that we can help our younger fans learn more about our animals.
“Visitors come to the zoo for fun but they always go away having learned something and we want to build on this and reward our young supporters by giving them books to read with their families.
“And of course, one lucky entrant will win an annual membership at the end of the year, which means that can visit the zoo as many times as they like during 2011, all for free.”
The question for March is : Name the tiger in Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”.
The closing date for entries is the 25th of each month. The winners will be notified shortly after the closing date. No cash alternative is available.
When did you last visit your local zoo? Five years ago, perhaps even longer, and we’re not talking about zoos in Cheshire or Cumbria, but your very own, local zoo here in Blackpool. “I went when the kids were little” or “I’ll take my grandchildren when they’re a bit older”. We’ve heard all those excuses, but the fact remains – you can love animals and appreciate them at any age at all.
So, now you’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Well stop thinking and set aside a day to visit Blackpool Zoo, currently Blackpool’s Tourist Attraction of the Year. You’ve even less excuse during March because, if you’re a local resident (FY1 – FY8, PR3 or PR4 postcodes), you can get in for half-price. Yes, that’s right, half-price until the 31st March.
Come along and see for yourself the lions, tigers, giraffes, gorillas, orang-utans, elephants and hundreds more animals and birds right on your own doorstep. We promise you’ll be amazed! Meet our latest arrival, Zambar, a critically endangered Amur tiger or enjoy the antics of our playful lion cubs. Bring the kids or grandchildren if you like, but do this for yourself – we promise you’ll enjoy it.
Remember to bring that proof of your address. See you soon!
Come along to the Zoo today – the weather’s beautiful. It’s cold and frosty, but the sun’s shining. Don’t wait till it rains again! There’s loads going on this week for “Year of the Tiger”.
Zambar, the tiger, is settling in really well and is quite chilled about his new surroundings.
Pumpkin carving, storytelling, creepy crawly sessions, fancy dress and spooky zoo trails will all be part of the ghostly goings on at Blackpool Zoo this half-term. From Monday 26th to Saturday 31st October the award-winning attraction will be hosting a week of spine-chilling fun!
Each day there will be Pumpkin Workshops where visitors will have the chance to carve pumpkins and fill them with delicious treats for the animals to enjoy. Children can also listen to ghostly storytelling sessions and come face-to-face with some of the zoo’s strangest inhabitants in the Extra Creepy Crawly sessions.
For all budding detectives out there, the zoo is running a Spooky Zoo Trail. Visitors can follow the clues and see where they may lead! There will also be a daily bird experience, either an exciting parrot display or the opportunity to meet one of the zoo’s beautiful barn owls.
On Halloween Day, Saturday 31st October, visitors are invited to come to the zoo dressed in Halloween costume and enter the attraction’s fancy dress competition. There are some great prizes to be won for the best costumes on the day.
Jude Rothwell, PR and Marketing Coordinator, said: “We’ve got lots of fun activities planned for this half-term and we are looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up on Halloween. There is always a great atmosphere around the zoo at this time of year and the staff love getting into the spirit of things. It really is going to be a fun packed half-term!”
ARNIE AARDVARK’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Blackpool Zoo’s children’s play barn will be hosting a Halloween Party on Saturday 31st October, from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
There will be fun and games with Arnie, and light refreshments for just £5 per child (£4 to Arnie Club members). Tickets are on sale now, pre-booking is essential as places are limited call: 01253 830809.
Blackpool Zoo is celebrating the best summer in its history! Over the months of June, July and August record numbers visited the attraction and the month of August was the busiest ever.
Della Belk, PR and Marketing Manager at Blackpool Zoo, explained: “We are absolutely delighted to announce that Blackpool Zoo has had a fantastic summer, despite the bad weather. We were 17% up on last year’s visitor numbers and 20% up on revenue and we had the best August on record.
“We believe that this increase is down to the ongoing investment made over the last few years. 2008 saw the arrival of three female giraffes, Wallace the male lion and the opening of Aardvark Adventures. This year, Wallace successfully fathered three beautiful lion cubs and we also opened the brand new penguin pool.
“The zoo has also had a lot of exposure in the media with five zoo keepers appearing on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and the zoo’s recent appearance on ‘Michaela’s Animal Roadshow’. The attraction has also regularly featured in the regional and national press.”
In recent visitor surveys the zoo has received excellent results and positive feedback, and sales of annual passes are also up on last year.
Della added: “In 2010 we will begin work on our new sealion pool which we hope will bring in even more visitors!”
Annual passes are available now, for further information visit Blackpool Zoo’s website www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk. You can also follow the attraction on Facebook and Twitter.