Big Cat Birthday Bonanza at Blackpool Zoo!

Blackpool Zoo is planning a big cat birthday bonanza this half-term as four of its favourite felines get ready to celebrate their special day!

Wallace and Khari, the UK’s only father and son lion coalition, celebrate their 10th and 1st birthdays just one day apart on 30th and 31st May.

Over in the tiger house, resident female Alyona turns eight on 2nd June whilst her son Barney, and his twin brother Radzi who moved to Portugal later this year, will be two on 11th June.
The half term holidays will be a week-long celebration with a big cat trail, a blind auction to win a stunning picture of Wallace and Khari and tasty treats for the one year old on his birthday.

Bids for the picture, which has been framed and donated by zoo member and professional photographer Shaun Wilson, can be made on www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk or by emailing [email protected] or calling 01253 830808 and leaving a message with name, number and amount bid.

Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Our lions and tigers are a firm favourite with zoo visitors and as four of them have birthdays over the next couple of weeks we decided to turn half-term into a big cat bonanza.

“Wallace and Khari are very popular and after becoming the only father son coalition in the UK following the death of Khari’s mum Rachel in December, they really are the ‘mane’ attraction.

“Barney, who was one of the first two tiger cubs to be born here at the zoo in more than 18 years, will celebrate his last birthday here as he will soon be moving to pastures new to start his own family.

“His brother Radzi left earlier this year and is now settled in Zoo Santo Inacio in Portugal with three-year-old female Mila.

“The fun doesn’t end with the big cat trail, we will also be adding extra talks to our exciting programme and offering visitors the chance to enjoy our daily animal experiences of feeding giraffes and meeting sealions, with prices starting from just £10.