From humble beginnings on a former airfield to becoming one of Britain’s most beloved animal attractions, Blackpool Zoo has evolved dramatically since opening its gates in 1972.
On a rainy July 6th that year, television personality Johnny Morris of “Animal Magic” fame inaugurated the zoo while riding an elephant, accompanied by the Mayor in a Rolls-Royce.
The 32-acre site originally served as Blackpool Municipal Airport from 1931. During World War II, the RAF used it as a parachute training center and aircraft repair facility.
After the war, it hosted the Royal Lancashire Show before the forward-thinking council developed plans for a zoo.
The zoo’s initial residents included two Asian elephants, three white rhinos, two giraffes, sea lions, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, lions, and two giant tortoises.
One of those first residents, Kate the Asian elephant, remained at the zoo for over 45 years.
Growth and Development
The 1980s and 1990s saw significant expansion as the zoo established itself as a major attraction.
A crucial turning point came in 2003 when Grant Leisure Ltd took over management, initiating major developments including a new entrance hall, gift shops, and lecture theatre.
In 2007, Spanish leisure company Parques Reunidos acquired the zoo, ushering in an era of substantial investment.
This led to several impressive developments:
Project Elephant Base Camp: Opened in 2018, this multi-million pound facility is one of the UK’s largest indoor elephant houses.
Big Cat Habitat: A £1.5 million development completed in 2023, providing state-of-art facilities for lions and tigers.
Active Oceans: Features the UK’s largest sea lion pool and houses the country’s only collection of Magellanic penguins.
Modern Attractions
Blackpool Zoo’s modern attractions offer an immersive and diverse experience for visitors of all ages.
At the heart of the zoo’s offerings is Gorilla Mountain, opened in 2000, which houses an impressive family of Western Lowland Gorillas including silverback Bukavu and his growing family.
The gorillas enjoy a spacious, naturalistic environment that allows visitors to observe their fascinating social interactions and behaviours.
The recently enhanced Orangutan Outlook provides a state-of-the-art home for the zoo’s critically endangered Bornean orangutans.
The facility features innovative split-level viewing areas and has celebrated significant success with its breeding program, welcoming two baby orangutans in recent years.
Visitors can observe these intelligent primates from multiple vantage points as they demonstrate their remarkable climbing abilities on specially designed equipment.
Lemur Wood stands out as a pioneering exhibit, being the UK’s first walk-through lemur habitat.
This immersive environment allows visitors to encounter three species of lemurs – Ring-tailed, Black, and Red Ruffed – in a naturalistic setting that mimics their native Madagascar habitat.
The enclosure’s innovative design includes electric fencing and water moats, ensuring both animal welfare and visitor safety.
The Dinosaur Safari brings prehistoric times to life with 32 remarkably realistic animatronic creatures.
Recent upgrades have introduced six new prehistoric specimens, including a Dilophosaurus and Parasaurolophus, making it an even more engaging educational experience.
The World of Wings aviary showcases an impressive international collection of birds, offering visitors close encounters with species from across the globe.
For families, the zoo provides an extensive range of interactive experiences and educational opportunities.
The modern three-level Playbarn features giant slides, ball cannons, and a dedicated toddler area.
The Children’s Farm offers hands-on experiences with domestic animals, while daily educational talks and feeding demonstrations provide insights into the animals’ behaviours and conservation needs.
Multiple dining venues, including the Lake View Food Court and Nawala Street Food, cater to various tastes, and numerous picnic areas allow families to enjoy meals in the peaceful zoo environment.
Conservation and Education
Blackpool Zoo is accredited by BIAZA and EAZA, demonstrating its commitment to animal welfare, education, research, and conservation.
The zoo participates in breeding programs for endangered species and contributes to global conservation efforts.
Recent Developments
The zoo continues to evolve with several recent improvements:
- A £100,000 renovation of the penguin facility in 2023
- New animal facilities for meerkats and mongoose
- Refurbishment of the zebra house
- Improvements to bird facilities
All of these additional upgrades have transformed Blackpool Zoo into a must visit destination.
Visitor Numbers and Recognition
The zoo attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually. In 2024, it ranked sixth among UK zoos according to TripAdvisor rankings, demonstrating its popularity among visitors.
The zoo has received multiple awards, including being named in the top 10% of TripAdvisor’s attractions worldwide.
While smaller than some UK counterparts like Chester Zoo (which houses 37,000 animals), Blackpool Zoo’s 32 acres are efficiently designed to provide excellent viewing opportunities.
Blackpool Zoo boasts several distinctive features that set it apart from other wildlife attractions in the United Kingdom.
The zoo’s gorilla family and their specially designed habitat, Gorilla Mountain, provides visitors with unobstructed views across a moat, allowing intimate observations of these magnificent primates’ natural behaviours and social interactions.
The zoo’s penguin facility, which opened in 2009, houses a unique collection of Magellanic penguins, making Blackpool Zoo the only institution in the United Kingdom to maintain this particular species.
The sea lion facility stands as another remarkable feature, housing California sea lions in what remains one of Britain’s largest pools of its kind.
Built in the 1970s and significantly renovated in 2010, the facility now includes a 400-seat arena and large glass windows that provide excellent viewing opportunities for daily training demonstrations.
The renovation added natural surroundings and enhanced viewing areas, allowing visitors to witness the sea lions’ impressive aquatic abilities and interactions with their trainers who use positive reinforcement techniques.
These unique attractions, combined with the zoo’s intimate atmosphere and commitment to animal welfare, have helped establish Blackpool Zoo as a distinctive wildlife destination that attracts approximately half a million visitors annually.
Looking Forward
The zoo’s management continues to invest in improvements and expansion. Recent announcements include plans for further habitat developments and visitor facilities.
With its blend of conservation work, education programs, and family entertainment, Blackpool Zoo has established itself as a vital part of both the local community and the wider zoological world.
From its modest beginnings in 1972 to its current status as a modern conservation center, Blackpool Zoo exemplifies how zoos have evolved from simple animal displays to crucial participants in global wildlife preservation.
As it moves forward, the zoo maintains its commitment to animal welfare while providing an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
