Bumper Year for Blackpool Zoo
A bumper year of momentous first time births, huge investment and a hat-trick of awards has seen Blackpool Zoo’s visitor numbers hit new record heights.
Despite the snow and ice of January, November and December and 42 per cent above average rainfall for the month of August, the award winning attraction beat its previous best year of 2009 as it continues to cement its position as a must see for people living in, and visiting, Blackpool.
An extraordinary baby boom has seen the zoo welcome its first ever Western Lowland gorilla, Pileated gibbon, Caribbean Flamingo, Red Panda, and Oriental Small Clawed Otter babies whilst other births have included Ring Tailed lemurs, reindeer, a Colubus monkey, a Bongo and a Demoiselle Crane.
Two more arrivals came in the form of six-year-old Zambar, the impressive Amur Tiger from Marwell Zoo and eight-year-old Max the sea lion from Madrid.
An investment of over £1million during 2010 led to the grand opening of the UK’s biggest sea lion pool, which completes the zoo’s Active Oceans attraction, a brand new Wallaby Walkabout and a redeveloped home for the zoo’s resident Aardvarks Arnie and Laurel.
Further investment is planned for 2011 includes a new, larger children’s farm and an extension and complete refurbishment of the site’s main restaurant.
More great news came in the form of three prestigious awards. Visit Blackpool crowned Blackpool Zoo its Visitor Attraction of the Year, The Be Inspired Business Awards hailed it Tourism Business of the Year and it was also voted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.
August Bank Holiday Monday saw the zoo’s highest ever visitor numbers in a single day as more than 4000 people flocked through the gates.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “This has been an absolutely fantastic year for Blackpool Zoo and there seems to have been no end to the good news.
“Our breeding programmes have been given a huge boost with so many first time arrivals, including the critically endangered Western Lowland gorilla and Pileated gibbon babies, which are momentous for us.
“In the face of bouts of severe weather and the continued economic uncertainty we have built on last year’s record visitor numbers, which is tremendous.
“With more investment planned for next year we are looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings.
“We would like to thank all our visitors for their support during 2010 and we look forward to seeing them over Christmas and in the New Year.”
Blackpool Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Please check www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk for opening information during adverse weather.
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Notes to Editors
- Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world wide player.
- Blackpool Zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes. The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orangutans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos.
- Blackpool Zoo is open every day from 10am.
Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP. Tel: 01253 830830.
For further information please contact:
Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383,