How to train your panda

Armed with grapes, a target stick and a clicker, Trainee Keeper Jake has spent the past 10 weeks working with and training Tao Tao, our male red panda.

The behaviours he is learning will help keepers care for Tao Tao, enabling him to be regularly checked and eventually weighed, all while keeping his stress levels to an absolute minimum.

Many of our animals take part in some form of training exercises. This is to encourage them to exhibit natural behaviours and to assist the keepers in their day to day care of these animals. As with all animal training, Tao Tao’s training uses positive reinforcement, allowing him animal to choose to participate in exchange for his favourite treat.

Blackpool Zoo is currently closed!

The government has announced that the outdoor areas of zoos will be allowed to re-open no earlier than Monday 12th April. Until then we remain closed.

As always please be assured that our dedicated keeper team will continue to provide the best care for our animals during the closure.

If you’ve booked tickets for any day during this closure, you can exchange them for another date. Please send your booking details to tickets@blackpoolzoo.org.uk.

We’ll keep you informed through our website and social media channels.

We really look forward to welcoming you back to Blackpool Zoo when we are allowed to re-open.

Stay safe everyone.