The Resort Hopper, operated by Blackpool Transport, provides a service every 30 minutes transporting people between Marton Mere Holiday Park and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, taking in all the attractions along the way.  The distinctly brightly liveried bus stops at Blackpool Zoo, Stanley Park, Blackpool Model Village, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Blackpool Transport has worked with Marketing Blackpool to launch the service and at a day saver rate from just £2 for children and £3.50 for adults, tourism and transport bosses are hoping visitors and residents alike will reap the benefits of the service.

Hopper Bus

Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, Natalie Wyatt, said the Resort Hopper is the perfect service to ensure visitors to the UK’s favourite holiday resort enjoy stress free travel.  Ms Wyatt said: “We are delighted to see the Resort Hopper up and running during the Easter holidays.   We believe this is the perfect way to travel around Blackpool’s amazing attractions stress free ensuring visitors enjoy the best the resort has to offer.    I hope to see the Resort Hopper packed with tourists and residents of course!”

The Resort Hopper will now operate until Sunday 10 November. The service will depart Marton Mere from 0900 and will operate every 30 minutes with the last departure at 1830. The first departure from Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be at 1000 and will continue every 30 minutes with the last departure at 1930.

The launch of this service comes just weeks after the launch of the Blackpool Resort Pass – It’s Just The Ticket, giving people the opportunity to enjoy massive discounts at Blackpool’s top attractions and travel tickets can be bought as an add on to the Pass.

Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, added: “We hope to see many people using this service over the coming months as the Resort Hopper is the perfect way to travel around Blackpool.  It is early days but we would anticipate the service being popular as it is perfect for people who wish to enjoy the benefits of the Resort Pass and travel with ease between attractions.”

Day Saver tickets for the Resort Hopper can be purchased at PayPoint Shops or Blackpool Transport Travel Centres at Market Street (open daily) or Rigby Road (open Monday – Friday, not open bank holidays) at a rate of £3.50 for adults and £2 for children. Tickets bought on the bus or tram will cost £4.50 for adults and £2.25 for children. All saver tickets are available for use not only on the Resort Hopper, but all other buses and trams operated by Blackpool Transport.

For a full list of PayPoint agents and more information about the Resort Hopper go to www.blackpooltransport.com

Blackpool Zoo’s sea lions are looking forward to personally meeting and greeting visitors this Easter!

The chance to go behind the scenes of the Active Oceans arena to say hello to sea lions Gina and Anya is just one of many really wild experiences that people can enjoy from Friday 29^th March to Sunday 14^th April.

With just a limited number of spaces available each day, on a first come, first serve basis, visitors are being urged to buy their tickets from the Amazonia shop next to the Elephant paddock when they arrive.

Hand feeding giraffes and meeting the many residents of the zoo’s Children’s farm are also on offer and a full programme of informative talks will take place throughout the holidays.

A fun for all the family Easter zoo baby quiz trail will also be available, meaning that really is something to keep everyone entertained at Lancashire’s local zoo!

Della Belk, Marketing and PR Manager at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Our sea lions are firm favourites amongst our visitors and the meet and greet sessions during the February half term were a big hit!

“We continually look for new ways to enable people to get the most out of their time here at Blackpool Zoo and hand feeding giraffes and contact sessions in the Children’s Farm have also been very popular.”

Sea lion meet and greet costs just £5 for children aged 3 to 12 and £10 for anyone over the age of 12. Giraffe feeding is £10 per person. Tickets for both of these experiences can be purchased from the Amazonia gift shop on the day of the visit.  Farm sessions are free.

Blackpool Zoo is open at 10.00am every day of the year except Christmas Day. Closing time is 5.45pm and last admission is 5.00pm. Visitors can save on admission prices by booking online at www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk.

Locals living in postcodes FY1 to FY8, PR3 and PR4 can take advantage of the 50 per cent March Madness discount to catch up with old favourites and meet all the animals that arrived in 2012.

From new species such as Iberian Wolves and Giant Anteaters to Alyona the Amur Tiger and a whole host of adorable babies including a Western Lowland Gorilla and Benji the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra Foal, it has been a very busy 12 months at the zoo!

Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “This is the fifth year running that we have offered a 50 per cent discount to local people and we see more and more coming through the doors every year!

“It is our way of saying thank you to Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde residents for their support throughout the year and it is brilliant to be able to give them the chance to visit their favourite zoo for a fraction of the price.”

Blackpool Zoo is planning another bumper year as it unveils a massive £600,000 investment programme.

Its ape house, which was originally built in the 1970’s, is being tripled in size to make it wider and higher with an upstairs viewing area and extended keeper facilities.

A new, bigger external walkway will be developed which will lead upstairs to an open plan viewing area, the ceiling will be much higher and the new house will feature more efficient heating and improved lighting.

The kitchen area, which will now be located on the first floor, will also be larger and include state of the art appliances.

Working in conjunction with zoo animal environment experts Zootech, keepers and management have designed the new layout based around the needs of the orang-utans, with enhanced visitor experience in mind.

The refurbishment is part of a three phase development which will be carried out over the course of the next few years. The next two stages will include the orang-utan’s outside area be extended and made higher, a new play area for little visitors being developed across from the enclosure and the gorilla house will also be renovated and expanded.

With much more to see and do in 2013, locals could even take advantage of the half price offer and put the saving towards a zoo membership.

Starting at just £33.00 for a child’s membership up to £171 for a family of five, it gives unlimited access to the zoo until the end of 2013, for the price of just two and a half visits.

There has been a huge surge in interest in the package over the past 12 months and the zoo will be continuing its popular series of members-only events in 2013.

March Madness visitors need to provide valid identification as proof of address such as a driving licence or recent utility bill.

Up to six people per household can take advantage of the discount but it cannot be used in conjunction with family tickets or any other offers.

Zoo members can also bring their guests in at half price from 1st – 28th March.

Discount applies to all full price individual tickets, not for family tickets.

March Madness 2013 prices:

Adult: £7.75

Child: £5.50

Senior Citizen: £6.75

Disabled Adult: £4.50

The chance to go behind the scenes of the Active Oceans arena to say hello to sea lions Gina and Anya is just one of many really wild experiences that people can enjoy from Saturday 16^th to Sunday 24^th February.

With just a limited number of spaces available each day, on a first come, first serve basis, visitors are being urged to buy their tickets from the Amazonia shop next to the Elephant paddock when they arrive.

Hand feeding giraffes and meeting the many residents of the zoo’s Children’s farm are also on offer and a full programme of informative talks will take place throughout the week.

A fun for all the family zoo quiz trail will also be available, meaning that really is something to keep everyone entertained at Lancashire’s local zoo!

Della Belk, Marketing and PR Manager at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Our sea lions are firm favourites amongst our visitors and the meet and greet sessions that we introduced last year were loved by all!

“We continually look for new ways to enable people to get the most out of their time here at Blackpool Zoo and hand feeding giraffes and contact sessions in the Children’s Farm have also been very popular.

Sea lion meet and greet costs just £5 for children aged 3 to 12 and £10 for anyone over the age of 12. They sessions will take place daily at 3.45pm and giraffe feeds are £10 per person and will take place at 12.45pm and 3.30pm.

Tickets for both of these experiences can be purchased from the Amazonia gift shop on the day of the visit.  Farm sessions are free and will be at 11.50am and 2.00pm every day.

Barn Owl Box

Barn Owls are reliant on suitable nest sites near good hunting territory, in open rough grassland. Such sites are limited and largely within buildings. The provision of suitable nest boxes can make a real difference to their population. It is known that Barn Owls have bred in buildings at the Zoo before and there is suitable hunting habitat for Barn Owls to the east of the Zoo in the Lawson Field, Marton Mere and De Vere Golf Course area.  The Zoo was therefore a natural choice for the location of a new Barn Owl nest box. Unlike Tawny Owls, Barn Owls are not so strictly nocturnal and are likely to be seen at dawn and dusk hunting short tailed field voles, along the edges of paths and fields.

The Fylde Bird Club is a local conservation Charity which works to promote and support active conservation measures in the Fylde area. A part of this work is the provision of nest boxes for a number of species where this activity is known to be of benefit. The Club is therefore pleased to be able to collaborate with Blackpool Zoo, in the conservation of two local owl species, by providing nest boxes for wild owls within the Zoo grounds.

Tawny Owl Box

Talks are held in the Lecture Theatre in the main entrance and last approximately one hour.  Light refreshments are available.

Sunday, 9th December : Wolves

Sunday, 27th January  :  Zoo Keeper Academy

Sunday, 3rd March  :  Animal Training

Sunday, 28th April  :  Gorillas

Sunday, 2nd June  :  South East Asia Campaign

There’s no need to book – just come along.  You’ll be most welcome.

Santa’s Christmas Workshop will take place on the 15th and 16th December from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm.  You can leave the kids with our CRB checked staff for 2 hours of fun making presents for the animals, eating a HUGE breakfast and meeting Santa and his reindeer.  It’s too good to miss!  They even get a present if they’re good!

Children aged 4 – 11 years are welcome.   Only £10 for Zoo members or £12 for non-members, you can book with a credit / debit card by calling Jude on 01253 830812 (Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm).

What a great way to begin the festivities!!  Spaces are limited so book soon.

This first baby of mum, 19 year old Njema, was born early on November 8. Keepers are patiently waiting to discover the gender of the new baby as she’s keeping it very well hidden.

Njema is a sensitive gorilla and is very different to her half sister, Miliki, who, when she became a first time mum to Meisie, was very confident and proud to show her off to the public. Keepers have been careful not intervene too much with Njema during the crucial first few days of the mum and baby bonding.

Njema and her new baby

To keep Njema calm, the keepers have decided to only open the gorilla house during certain intervals in the day, where they can monitor Njema’s behaviour with the baby. The public have been asked to be patient during this time.

The new arrival doesn’t seem to have affected the rest of the family, although toddler Meisie seems the most inquisitive and is eager to play.

Animal Manager, Peter Dillingham, said: “We’ve been delighted with Meisie’s progress over the last two years. So the safe arrival of another baby is great news for the zoo.”

The latest arrival takes the gorilla family total to six. Keepers seem positive in keeping the group together and watching them grow as a family.

40th ANNIVERSARY QUIZ – all these animals can be found in the Zoo.

1. TIGER     Big teeth, big feet and earns its stripes when hunting. (5)
2. POTOROO      Has a pocket but very close the ground. (7)
3. MACAW     Bright red or blue and gold, but gets in a flap. (5)
4. COCKROACH       The hoover of the jungle but not nice in the shower. (9)
5. ELEPHANT        Packs a trunk and will be over the weight limit. (8)
6. PYGMY GOAT          Pocket-sized milk supplier. (5, 4)
7. LORIKEET            Eddie Stobart’s parrot! (8)
8. CAIMAN           Toothy grin on a scale of one or two. (6)
9. SEALION           Sleek, shiny beach babes. (7)
10. LEMUR            Julien is King. (5)
11. RATTLESNAKE      Don’t let the baby play with his tail! (11)
12. AFRICAN LAND SNAIL           You don’t want this on the allotment. (7, 4, 5)
13. AFRICAN LION           King of his continent. (7, 4)
14. KANGAROO                   Red or grey – take your pick, Joey. (8)
15. IBERIAN WOLF            “What big teeth you have,” said Red Riding Hood. (7,4)
16. PELICAN                        Pay the big bill with lots of fish. (7)
17. GIRAFFE                        Who needs ladders? (7)
18. TORTOISE          Giant or small, slowly does it. (8)
19. WALLABY           Bouncy, bouncy, little man. (7)
20. BACTRIAN CAMEL         One hump or two? (8, 5)
21. AARDVARK                 Digs faster six men with spades! (8)
22. OTTER                       Riverbank fish eater here and abroad. (5)
23. BOA CONSTRICTOR            A long hug squeezes the life out of me. (3, 11)
24. PEACOCK              Eye, eye, it’s a tall tail, boys! (7)
25. RED PANDA            I’m a fox on fire! Actually, I might be a weasel. (3, 5)
26. TAPIR            Almost a mixed-up, sea-bound criminal. (5)
27. ORANG UTAN             It’s auburn. Believe me, I’m your cousin. (5, 4)
28. FLAMINGO              Not quite a Spanish dance. (8)
29. DONKEY                Jack and Jenny play in the barn. (6)
30. REINDEER           They have built-in hangers for Santa’s coat. (8)
31. GORILLA               Up high or down below, a close relative. (7)
32. EMU                         I’ll take the road – flying’s not for me. (3)
33. TARANTULA           You either love ‘em or hate ‘em – or are scared stiff! (9)
34. STICK INSECT         Is it a twig? No, it’s a … (5, 6)
35. MONKEY                  There are loads of these, animal and human, in our zoo. (6)
36. MINIATURE SHEEP        Teeny, weeny woolly jumpers. (9, 5)
37. PENGUIN               Smart suited waddler. (7)
38. ZEBRA              Love my stripey pyjamas! (5)
39. WATER DRAGON              Beware of St George in a submarine. (5, 6)
40. BARN OWL             Ghostly resident of farm buildings. (4, 3)

Animals at the zoo are kept entertained daily by their keepers who invent ingenious ways to hide food so that they have to work a bit harder to find it, as they would in the wild.   This process, known as enrichment, is employed throughout the park, but four tonne elephants need stronger playthings than most!   Senior Keeper of mammals, Sofie Fawzy, pointed out that elephants are difficult to entertain with plastic feeder balls or branches as they don’t last very long, so stainless steel beer casks are their number one toys.   The barrels are stuffed with hay, grass pellets, nuts and vegetables which the elephants have to extract using their trunks.  The heavy metal containers are also thrown around the house so have to be chained down when visitors may be present.

Richard Baker, the owner of the Bowland Brewery, was rather surprised at the phone call requesting assistance. He said: “We often get calls from the public asking about our beers, but this was a bolt from the blue!  However, we were delighted to be able to help and I look forward to seeing the elephants with their new toys!”

The casks arrived at the Zoo via regular brewery customers, the Blackpool Subscription Bowling Club, and were immediately put to good use, replacing two old containers which were bent beyond recognition!

Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “We are extremely grateful to the brewery for donating the barrels, which will provide hours of enrichment for our elephants.  Perhaps three new beers are now on the cards in honour of the Brewery’s ‘biggest’ fans – Katie’s Keg, Indra’s Thunder and Bella Marcella!”

Bowland Brewery, which opened in 2003 in Bashall Town, produce unique ales bearing names such as Headless Peg, Sky Dancer and a new beer, Pendle Gold, in celebration of the 400^th anniversary of the Pendle Witches’ trial.