Senior appointment at Blackpool Zoo
A leading UK elephant expert has joined the team at Blackpool Zoo.
Andrew Durham, who has been working with the mammoth species in zoos across the world for almost 20 years, has been appointed as Head of Elephants
He will now lead a team of keepers who care for the six Asian elephants that reside in Blackpool Zoo’s multimillion-pound Base Camp development.
Kate was the first animal to arrive at Blackpool in 1972 and moved into the new elephant house in 2017.
Four further females packed their trunks and moved to Blackpool from Twycross Zoo in 2018 and the herd was completed with the arrival of a male, named Emmett, from Whipsnade in 2019.
Successful introductions were carefully managed and Andrew hopes that the herd will breed in the near future.
He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at Blackpool Zoo at such an exciting time.
“I previously worked with the elephants that have arrived from Twycross and have followed the progress of Project Elephant very closely, so when the opportunity to join the team arose, I jumped at the chance.
“Base Camp is a truly outstanding facility that has been designed and built entirely around the needs of elephants, so it is wonderful to be part of it.
“Now all the elephants are settled in we are hoping that they will soon start breeding.
“Of course, with the longest gestation of any mammal, we will have to wait two long years before any of the girls give birth!”
Andrew has worked at some of the most respected zoological institutes across the globe including ZSL in London, Zoos Victoria in Melbourne and Chester Zoo.
He has also been a lecturer on animal care. He graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2001 with an Honours Degree in Zoology and Animal Biology.
Blackpool Zoo’s Director, Darren Webster, is delighted to welcome Andrew to the team. He said: “Andrew’s reputation in the field of elephant care is exemplary and it is wonderful to welcome him to the team at Project Elephant.
“The herd is now settled into their new home and it is great to see them all exploring and interacting.
“Project Elephant is our long-term commitment to elephants. It focuses on a multi-faceted approach to the continuous improvement of the zoo’s captive population of elephants, their long-term management, breeding and welfare needs, with special focus on their physiological and psychological wellbeing.
“At the same time, we wish to demonstrate our on-going and long-term support for the conservation of their wild cousins through research, education and on-going in-situ support.
“Andrew shares this vision, which makes him a perfect fit for Blackpool Zoo.”
Andrew was born in Birkenhead and currently lives in Liverpool.