The latest investment at Blackpool Zoo is sure to have bird lovers flocking!

Species from across the globe are settling into a 10,000sq ft purpose built aviary, which cost £12,500 and is situated on the site of the former Children’s Zoo.

The critically endangered Waldrapp Ibis has taken residence along with African Spoonbills, Sacred Ibis, Black-crowned Night Herons, White Storks, Little Egrets and Eider Ducks.

With such a huge array of birds there is so much to see and hear. Watch out for the African Spoonbill, which uses its open bill to catch food by swinging it from side to side in the water.

Or listen for the hard croak of the Sacred Ibis, which, in ancient Egypt, was used to make pools safe for bathing by feeding on the water snails that carried deadly parasites.

The Waldrapp Ibis, with its distinctive long, curved red bill, disappeared from Europe over 30 years ago and there is thought to be only around 500 left in Southern Morocco and Syria.

Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “It is wonderful to see a new home for so many beautiful and interesting birds.

“The sights and sounds are amazing and, as the birds hail from around the world, there is always something new for people to learn.

“This is the latest attraction in our investment programme, which is aimed at continually adding to the experience of visiting Blackpool Zoo and we are very much looking forward to seeing the public’s reaction.”

The aviary has been under construction throughout the spring and the birds moved in at the beginning of July.

Filming the TV ad

We’ve been listening to various voice overs for our upcoming TV ad.  Some sound rather smooth, others like they’re describing a meal but one is perfect!

If you had to choose someone to talk about Blackpool Zoo on the ad, who would you choose?  We thought of David Attenborough - rather quiet but instantly recognisable.  Michaela Strachan – a previous visitor to Blackpool Zoo with a warm, friendly voice.   Ben Fogle – enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  It’s difficult.

We’d love to know your thoughts.  By the way, the budget is very limited so don’t get carried away!

Completion of the new aviary.

Blackpool Zoo’s maintenance team have been working very hard indeed on a new enclosure in the old Children’s Zoo which is very near to completion.

It will soon be home to a selection of wading birds previous kept on the site of the new Children’s Farm.

The enclosure has been extended considerably and features a large lake.

INVESTMENT ON THE MENU AT BLACKPOOL ZOO
Blackpool Zoo is gearing up for another bumper year as it prepares to unveil stage one of its massive £850,000 investment programme for 2011.
A completely refurbished and extended main restaurant, which is being renamed Lake View Café, will open its doors with a new and exciting menu in the February half term holiday. An extensive outside dining area will be completed in time for Easter.
The restaurant overhaul, which has cost £350,000, comes after the zoo identified the need for additional space and a more food choice as a result of the huge increase in visitor numbers in recent years.
Food courts selling pizza, burgers, salads, sandwiches, chicken, jacket potatoes, cakes and snacks will sit alongside a more traditional area that will offer four quality dishes of the day. There will also be a coffee stand and an ice cream parlour.
Total seating capacity has nearly doubled from 240 to a whopping 460. A second kitchen has been added, which was designed and developed to help with the increase in demand and extension of the menu and the zoo will be recruiting new staff to work across its catering department in 2011.
The new layout means visitors will be able to get exactly what they want quickly, giving them more time to see the zoo’s 1500 animals.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Work has been on-going throughout the winter months to ensure our fantastic new restaurant is ready for the start of the main season and we are extremely happy with the results.
“We have listened to our customers and the new layout and menu reflects the feedback we have been getting.
“There really is something for everyone, whether you are stopping by for morning coffee, a full lunch or just fancy a cake and a hot drink and we are looking forward to seeing people enjoy the selection on offer.”
The second phase of Blackpool Zoo’s investment programme will see a £500,000 relocation and expansion of the Children’s Farm, which has been moved to the south paddock, unveiled in April. More details of this exciting new development will be released soon.
The zoo celebrated the announcement of its highest ever visitor numbers in 2010 following a huge investment programme which saw the completion of its Active Oceans arena as well as the launch of its Wallaby Walkabout and re-vamped Aardvark enclosure.
A string of momentous first time births, including Meisie the Western Lowland gorilla, also saw visitors flocking to the award winning attraction throughout the year.

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

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.