If you’re interested in finding out more about Asian elephants and their conservation, make sure you attend our Members’ presentation on Sunday, 26th February from 1 -2 pm in the Lecture Theatre.  Light refreshments will be available.

There’s loads happening at the Zoo over the half term holiday.

Talks and feeds are as follows daily from 10th February until the 19th :

11.10am Reindeer*

11.30am Penguins*

12.00pm Sealions*

12.30pm Elephants*

12.50pm Creepy Crawlies (inside the Elephant House)

2.00pm Sealions*

2.40pm Big Cats*  (no feed on Fridays)

3.00pm Otters*

3.15pm    Giraffes*

* indicates feed.

You can feed the giraffes or lorikeets (for a small charge). Tickets can be purchased in the Amazonia Gift Shop.

Children’s Farm sessions will be held at 11.50 – 12.50 and 2.00 – 3.00 daily if you want to hug a bunny or brush a donkey.

Creepy Crawly Corner’s the place to be at 11.00, 12.50 or 3.15 for meeting the bugs if you dare!

Try the “Woo at the Zoo” Quiz Trail – test your brains on your way around the park.  There are prizes, too!

Have a brilliant time!

Meisie

If you want a really special gift for your loved one on Valentine’s Day, why not adopt a lovebird here at Blackpool Zoo?  You’ll receive a certificate and your special person’s name will be displayed at the lovebird enclosure – all for just £20.

To take advantage of this romantic gesture, please telephone 01253 830801.

Is anyone thinking of proposing on St Valentine’s Day? Or, ladies, on Leap Year Day, 29th February? If you are and you really want to do something different, we’re offering just 5 chances on each day to do just that!

You can go down on bended knee in the Active Oceans Arena with just the sealions (and about 300 visitors!) looking on, or, if you’re a bit shy, in Lemur Wood where it’s a bit more secluded.

Just email Jude at judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk with your reasons for proposing here at the Zoo, along with your contact details and we’ll try to make your dreams come true!

“The Perils of the Wildlife Trade” -  a fascinating talk on this very emotive subject will be held for all Zoo members at 1pm in the Lecture Theatre on Sunday, 15th January.  Refreshments will be available.

A family Enrichment Workshop for aardvarks will also commence at 11 am in the Education Centre.  However, as places for this are limited, please telephone Natalie on 01253 830818 to book in advance.

Aardvarks love to dig!

Calling all parents!  Need a couple of hours of peace and quiet?  If your children are aged between 4 and 11, you can book them in to join us in Santa’s Christmas Workshop on the 17th or 18th December from 10 am – 12 noon.

They’ll learn about Santa’s reindeer, make gifts for the gorillas and orangutans, eat a hearty cooked breakfast and (if they’re really good) get a present from the man himself!

Sounds good?  Then ring Jude on 01253 830812 from Monday, 14th November to book tickets.  £10 per child for Zoo members or £12 for non-members including admission to the Zoo.  (Non-members will receive 20% discount on Zoo admission if you want to make a day of it)

Santa

Bukavu and his present

We are delighted to announce that wildlife photographer, Ron Pickering, has agreed to present his amazing pictures at a “Photo Safari” for our members on Sunday, December 4th from 1 – 2 pm in the Lecture Theatre.   All Zoo members are very welcome to attend.

There will also be an Enrichment Workshop at 11 am on that day.  However, places are limited, so please telephone 01253 830805 to book in.

Snow Leopard

Date for your diary :  Monday, 31st October, 2011 from 5 – 7 pm.

It’s nearly Halloween and our party’s going to be great! It includes a fancy dress competition, fun and games, prizes, snack, drink and a spooky gift. Oh, and parking’s free, Mums and Dads. Tickets are on sale now at the Play Barn, priced £7.00 per child (or £5.00 for Play Barn members). Book soon!

If you’re a Zoo member, you’re invited to series of presentations taking place over the winter months.  Times may vary and workshops may be available for children, but full details will be posted here on the website and on Facebook as well as around the Zoo.  Talks take place in the Lecture Theatre in the main entrance,  last approximately one hour and light refreshments will be available.

Sunday, 6th November  :     New Developments  – what’s next?

Sunday, 4th December  :   21st Century Tiger – the work of the charity supporting tigers worldwide.

Sunday, 15th January  :  The Perils of the Wildlife Trade – how we can help.

Sunday, 26th February  :  Asian Elephants and the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust.

Sunday, 25th March  :  Animal Training  -  how do they do it and what are the benefits?

Make sure you note the dates in your diary.

Blackpool Zoo is really getting into the ‘spirit’ of Halloween with a half-term week packed with spooky activities.

From Saturday 22nd to 30th October little ghouls and goblins can try their hand at pumpkin carving at 11.30am in the Children’s Farm. They’ll then get the chance to fill their creations with treats, which will be fed to the animals across the zoo.

Pumpkins will also be hidden in animal enclosures and a fun trail to find them all will take place every day.

There will also be spooky badge making, giraffe and lorikeet feeding and the usual popular line up of animal talks, feeds and contact sessions across the zoo and in the Children’s Farm. All times and information can be found on the website.

Jude Rothwell, PR and Marketing Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Half term is set to be a spooky spectacular with fun for the whole family.

“Pumpkin carving and animal feeding are always very popular with the children and, of course, our residents!”