Blackpool Zoo at 50: The defining moments which have shaped five decades of a resort treasure
By Claire Lark
Published 5th Jul 2022, 15:45 BST
Updated 6th Jul 2022, 13:54 BST
Blackpool Zoo has so many reasons to celebrate 50 golden years.
July 6 1972 was when, in the pouring rain, the zoo was officially opened – and what a half century it has been.
The zoo actually stands on the site of an airport and it was where the Royal Lancashire Show was held. It has evolved unimaginably since then and as the resort’s fabulous Zoo marks the occasion with a day of celebrations, we look back at it’s varied past and the key moments which have shaped the last 50 years.
In 2015, Vicky, the zoo's 32 year old Bornean orangutan, successfully underwent double surgery for the first time in UK history. The operations were performed by leading human and animal medical experts to alleviate severe congestion caused by chronic sinusitis and air sacculitis. Photo: submit
When an 18 stone tiger needed root canal treatment it required more than a simple visit from the vet dentist. A specialist team of ten was called upon to treat Blackpool Zoo’s Amur Tiger, Alyona, in a successful two-stage operation to treat and repair her four damaged canine (‘fang’) teeth. Alyona is pictured top with Radzi, Barney in front, and then Zambar Photo: submit
2017 was a year of celebrations. Its oldest resident, and one of the first to arrive at Blackpool Zoo in 1972, Darwin the Aldabran tortoise, turned 100 in February and the zoo welcomed its 15th Millionth visitor in April. There was a whole host of new arrivals including a YouTube sensation. Bornean orangutan Jingga became famous in 2015 after a video of her went viral. Her hilarious reaction to a magic trick has been viewed more than 20 million times. Blackpool zookeeper Andy Bubbins is pictured with 35-stone Aldabran tortoise Darwin Photo: submit
In 2018 the zoo announced that it was set to become home to a herd of elephants from Twycross Zoo following the completion of its multi-million pound Project Elephant development (pictured) Photo: submit