ZOOTASTIC (Blackpool Zoo)

Member Name: rubytuesday0203

Product:	Blackpool Zoo
Date:	15/06/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very close to some of the big animals

Disadvantages: no rhinos and hippos, not enough breeding pairs

I went to blackpool zoo with 2 other adults, 3 children under the age of 6 and a small baby.

We all loved it. The enclosures are close together so there's not lots of walking. The park feels spacious so its easy to navigate with a pushchair/ wheelchair. Although it was a Tuesday in June when we visited so not a bank holiday/ school holidays or weekend.

When I went there was some new enclosures being built so maybe next year (2010) there will be more animals.

Theres elephants (all females). lions (2 females, 1 male and 3 cubs). 1 male tiger, orangutans, giraffes, reptile house, birds of prey, sea lions, meerkats, zebras, various breeds of gazelle and a few gorillas. theres also many more.

We went into what you could describe as a large greenhouse called AMAZONIA. We were told by the keepers to hide our picnic food because the marmsets would pinch it. These animals were roaming free in there not behind glass or in cages. They were very interested in us and not shy. Although the children were at first bothered by this after a minute or so weren't frightened. It really was brilliant to be so close to these animals. There was also a LEMUR WOOD with a couple of species they too were also roaming free.

We made special effort to take notice of the feeding times of animals which is worth it. We saw the elephants being fed, tiger and lions, the camels and sealions. Each of those sessions were accompaned with a 10 minute briefing on the habitats, feeding, breeding and lifestyle of the animals. This was very informative. The sealions at this time did a performance of jumping, spinning balls, clapping etc. The children especially loved this.

On the fronts of each cage were brief but quick and easy to digest information plaques.

Out of everything we saw at the zoo we got incredibly close within twelve feet of the elephants, lions, tiger and the giraffes. My advice is when you get to were the giraffes are go upstairs in the giraffe enclosure to get extra close its magnificent.

We found the food and drinks a liitle expensive but you'd expect it at a place like this. We took a picnic and there's plenty of benches and grass to sit on.
there's also a playground and railway. Do when you pass a toilet pay a visit as they are few and far between.

The admission cost us £13.99 for adults and from memory it was about £9 for children over 3's have to be paid for. Theres concessions for over 60's. They also do family tickets which work out slightly better value a family of 5 is £50. I had some clubcard vouchers and were unable to use them on family tickets. Parking is £2 all day.

Overall we thought it was excellent day out but we virtually had the park to ourselves and had prime views for the feeding times. So if at all possible avoid the peak holiday times.

Summary: great avoid the summer rush