The nine year old has been crowned the winner of Blackpool Zoo’s monthly bookworm competition, which was launched on World Book Day this year.

 On a recent visit to the zoo Taylor-Dean, who attends Longton Lane Community

Primary School, spotted the competition and instantly knew the answer to the question: Where did toad live in the book ‘Wind in the Willows’, which is, of course, Toad Hall.

 His prize was a special edition ‘Wind in the Willows’ book and he has been entered into the end of year draw to win an annual membership zoo for 2011.

 Each month a question is being posted on the Blackpool Zoo’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages 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.

 Lisa, Taylor-Dean’s mother, said: “Taylor-Dean was over the moon when he found out it had won the competition.

 “We are regular visitors to the zoo as both Taylor-Dean and his three year old sister Mia-Kelsey are crazy about animals and were especially excited to meet the new baby gorilla.

 “We are all massive fans of the zoo and always make sure it is on our ‘must visit’ list when we visit Blackpool.

 “Taylor-Dean really loves the Dinosaur Safari and never ceases to be amazed as he takes a trip back in time to see the life size models.”

 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 Taylor-Dean was so excited about winning the competition and wish him luck in the draw to win the family membership at the end of the year.”

 The question for August is:  What is the name of the pig in “Charlotte’s Web”?

 The closing date for is Tuesday 31^st August. The winners will be notified shortly after the closing date.

Miliki and her baby

 Blackpool Zoo is appealing to the nation for telegraph pole poles or tall trees, which will help to build a climbing frame for gorillas.

 Since the birth of the zoos first ever Western Lowland Gorilla in May the gorillas have not been allowed to have access to part of their outdoor area as the surrounding moat would be too dangerous for the infant.

 The new climbing frame will entertain the band of gorillas and provide additional enrichment for the baby, which is just starting to explore it surroundings.

 There have already been lots of kind donations including lengths of fire hose from Lancashire Fire & Rescue and cargo nets from nearby Blackpool Airport. Soldiers at Deepdale Barracks have even agreed to build the structure.

 Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “The kindness of companies and people in our area never ceases to amaze us and we have almost everything we need to build a fantastic new climbing frame for our much loved gorillas.

 “We know that telegraph poles may be a bit of a ‘tall order’ but we hope that someone, somewhere, will have something suitable.

 “The birth of our beautiful baby gorilla was a cause for massive celebration earlier this year and the building of this new climbing frame, which will be enjoyed by all of our gorillas, will be the icing on the cake.”

 Collection can be arranged for any suitable materials. For more information or to donate please contact Jude Rothwell at Blackpool Zoo on 01253 830812 or email Judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk

Winner’s logo

Monk Seals are critically endangered

Why not visit us here at Blackpool Zoo over half term?  There are loads of fun activities for the kids as well as our fantastic sealion display in the “Active Oceans” arena and the new babies, a gorilla and a rare gibbon.

Sat 29^th May – Sat 5^th June

Daily Talks and Feeds around the park

Monk seal fundraising activities ( tent by sealions)  – 11 am – 5 pm

Colouring competitions

Face painting

 “Throw the Sea a Line” game  (fish out rubbish from a paddling pool to win a prize)

 Plus the usual artefacts and information tables

 Creepy Crawly Sessions

 11.45, 12.45,1.45,2.45 and 4.30pm

 Monday 31^st May – Sat 5^th June

  ** NEW ** 1pm Wallaby Walkabout  Talk and Feed

 1.30pm – Children’s Zoo Feed

 2.30-3pm Gorilla Talk – see the new baby (if Miliki will let you!)

 4pm – Children’s Zoo Feed

Miliki and baby

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 7^th 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.

A second important baby, a Pileated gibbon, was born the day before the gorilla to 20 year old, first time Mum, Ivy.  Both are doing well.

Click HERE for more information.

The Mayor opens Active Oceans

The largest sea lion pool in the UK has officially been opened by the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Don Clapham, following a £1 million investment, as part of the Active Oceans marine area at Blackpool Zoo, underpinning its reputation as a leading North West attraction. Active Oceans also incorporates the very popular Magellanic penguin pool which opened in 2009.

A complete overhaul of the pool and its surround began last year 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.

Click HERE for more information.

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 21^st 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 21^st 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 21^st 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!”

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.”

The first lion cubs to be born at Blackpool Zoo for more than 25 years will celebrate turning one on Friday 9^th 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.