Blackpool Zoo Blackpool Zoo News 2022

[Jambi]

Sad news about Darwin Blackpool Zoo's oldest resident Darwin the Aldabra tortoise dies aged 105

That's such a shame, it must be awful for the zoo to say goodbye to an animal that's been there since they opened, and one that's more than a century old at that.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

New female tapir arrived from Fota Wildlife Park.

South American Lowland or Malayan?

 

[Dylan]

Lowland, Fota doesn't have Malayan.

 

[jamie779]

I do miss the elephant girls being at Twycross, but glad they can live in more natural conditions ( i.e. with a bull.)

 

[Themonkeyguy1]

Meerkats are moving up in the old children’s farm in a new enclosure (former Guinea pig enclosure). A number of new enclosures are being built with signage for kea and black-cheeked lovebirds.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Lowland, Fota doesn't have Malayan.

I thought they planned on getting Malayans in their plans for the Asian area.

I do hope the zoo gets serious about its Aldabran tortoises and bring in some more for a breeding group. It has always been sad to note not more attempts are made to get this iconic species to breed. Yes, their get old and all, but there is so much more about them.

 

[Jambi]

I thought they planned on getting Malayans in their plans for the Asian area.

That sounds interesting, is there much info about this Asian area? Like when they plan to start developing it and what species are going in?

 

[hjkr]

Work on the big cat house will begin in May and is hoped to be completed by spring 2023. It says discussions are underway for where the big cats will be moved to while the work takes place.

Big Cat House | Blackpool Zoo

 

[Keelan]

Could the cats potentially go to knowsley as the tiger is due to move out and the wolves back to the foot safari

 

[J C]

Whipsnade might have the lions, Africa Alive’s are due to move back sone

 

[Jambi]

Ah, so the cats most likely won't be there by the time I visit three weeks from now? What a shame.

 

[hjkr]

For those who haven't seen, there is a post on the ZSL Whipsnade thread saying there is a sign on their lion enclosure confirming a male lion from Blackpool Zoo will arrive on the 10th June.

 

[Keelan]

Only the one male lion why not both. Blackpool said that the 2 are so well bonded that they couldn't separate them because it would stress them out too much.

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Only the one male lion why not both. Blackpool said that the 2 are so well bonded that they couldn't separate them because it would stress them out too much.

that's true as it's father and son

 

[Mfuwe]

Only the one male lion why not both. Blackpool said that the 2 are so well bonded that they couldn't separate them because it would stress them out too much.

Might come down to the welfare concerns of moving an older animal

 

[Lafone]

Only the one male lion why not both. Blackpool said that the 2 are so well bonded that they couldn't separate them because it would stress them out too much.

I heard (at the same time as being told about the Blackpool male before it was announced) they might source a female from somewhere else (though introductions might be difficult and the enclosures isn’t set up for them) so perhaps there’s a wider view of the future but purely speculative based on comments from whipsnade staff.

 

[Themonkeyguy1]

Lions - Wallace has been euthanised, Khari has moved to Whipsnade.

Tiger - Alyona has moved to Lincolnshire.

Alyona and Khari are expected to return in 2023.

 

[Embu]

Very sad news regarding Wallace. He looked magnificent in photos and was probably more impressive in the flesh.

Presumably Khari will be introduced to new pride of females while in Whipsnade or will it just be a single companion for the time being?

 

[Mfuwe]

Very sad news regarding Wallace. He looked magnificent in photos and was probably more impressive in the flesh.

Presumably Khari will be introduced to new pride of females while in Whipsnade or will it just be a single companion for the time being?

Facebook page implies it will happen at whipsnade then relocate back to blackpool as a formed pride next year. Now to figure out where the females will be coming from.

 

[Sand Cat]

Lions - Wallace has been euthanised, Khari has moved to Whipsnade.

Tiger - Alyona has moved to Lincolnshire.

Alyona and Khari are expected to return in 2023.

Can't say I'm that surprised about Wallace, that feels all too convenient. Very sad though.

To be more specific, Alyona is at Woodside Wildlife Park.