Archive for May, 2010

Family Days Out at Half Term

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Monk Seals are critically endangered

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 29th May – Sat 5th 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 31st May – Sat 5th 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

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Baby Gorilla Arrives.

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Miliki and baby

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 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.

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.

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Mayor opens Sealion Pool

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
The Mayor opens Active Oceans

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.

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Bookworms – May’s Question

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

April 2010 - Mrs P Hubbard 006

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.

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