Zoo expert to retire after more than four decades of dedication

One of Blackpool Zoo’s longest serving animal experts is set to retire after 44 years of dedication to all creatures great and small.

Animal Manager, Peter Dillingham, joined the zoo when he was just 32 years old after embarking on his dream career on his 16th birthday.

He started on the bird section of Chessington Zoo on 14th May 1973 and will retire at the very top of his profession on Friday 29th September 2017.

Peter’s job has seen him work with an amazing array of species from polar bears to giant pandas and gorillas to giraffes!

Speaking of his four decade career, he said: “I knew I wanted to be a zoo keeper from a very young age and loved nothing more than to spend all my free time playing with my Britain’s zoo animal collection.

“After leaving school at 15 I spoke to the manager at Chessington Zoo and he said I would have to wait until I was 16 to join, which I patiently did!

“Since then I have had the honour of working with some of the most endangered species, and best keepers, in the world.”

Peter moved into the keeper quarters at Blackpool Zoo with his young family in 1989 before making the town his permanent home three years later.

He worked on every section across the 32-acre site, making his way up the career ladder to Section Head before being appointed as Animal Manager in 2007.

In addition he was Chair of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (BIAZA) Mammal Working Group for over 12 years and Vice-Chair of European Association of Zoos & Aquaria’s (EAZA) Monotreme & Marsupial Taxon Advisory Group for 10 years.

Dr Kirsten Pullen, CEO of BIAZA, said: “Peter exemplifies the dedication of animal experts to furthering best practice amongst our zoos. His long-term service within our community and the Association’s Mammal Working Group represents the melding of years of experience with progressive zoo management. He has been an inspiration for many and his presence will be missed.”

Peter continued: “The zoo world has changed massively in the past four decades and now the focus is very much about breeding programmes, research, conservation and education, which is fantastic.

“Following my baptism of fire at Chessington, where I worked on all the sections across a 12 month period, I joined London Zoo, where I first met a little hand reared orangutan called Vicky, who had been born at Blackpool Zoo.

“She settled in well at London and then in 1992, three years after I started working at Blackpool Zoo, she returned home where she went on to have two daughters, Summer and Cherie and remains one of our most popular residents!

“The advancements in medicine and research in the last 44 years has been astonishing and I am extremely proud to have been part of this process.

“Blackpool Zoo in particular has seen many changes since it opened 45 years ago, from the landscape to the types of animals that call it home.

“On the opening day the majority of what are now impressive tall trees were just saplings, some enclosures were marked out simply by moats and the layout was completely different to the Blackpool Zoo we all know and love today.

“The first animals to be housed here were two Asian elephants, three white rhinos, two giraffes, sealions, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, lions and two giant tortoises.

“One of the Asian elephants, Kate, and one of the giant tortoises, Darwin, are still here at the zoo and our head count currently stands at more than 1500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.

“Looking back over the past 44 years I feel extremely privileged to have been part of such an amazing profession. I know that I am leaving Blackpool in the excellent hands of our group of highly dedicated keepers.

“I am due to become a grandfather for the second time in November, so I will be spending plenty of time with my grandchildren and I have a few trips planned….mainly to zoos across the UK and beyond!”

Darren Webster, Managing Director at Blackpool Zoo, added: “The time has come to bid a fond farewell to one of the finest keepers I have ever met.

“His commitment and knowledge are second to none and his practical, level-headed approach to his job is exemplary.

“He is not only a valued employee but a great friend to many, including myself, and I am sure even his somewhat dry sense of humour will be missed by all!

“We wish him all the best for his retirement and look forward to welcoming him back as a visitor!”

Peter was the youngest of four brothers and was born in Barking in London in 1957. He has two sons and one grandson and is set to welcome his next grandchild later this year.