Blackpool Zoo: 11 pictures from Blackpool Zoo's 50th birthday bash

By Wes Holmes

Published 11th Jul 2022, 12:30 BST

Blackpool Zoo flung open its gates to a sun-soaked weeked of arts, crafts and conservation efforts to celebrate its golden anniversary.

It has been 50 years since Blackpool Zoo opened for the first time on a rainy July 6, 1972. Since then, the 32-acre attraction has become a sanctuary for several endangered species, a fierce advocate for environmentalism, and one of the resort’s most beloved tourist traps.

The bird arena was transformed into a buzzing hub of activity throughout the weekend, with young guests being invited to make feeding cups full of tasty treats and toys for meerkats, monkeys, lemurs and tapirs.

Blackpool zookeeper Lauren Shields

1. 41 Lauren Shields.jpg

Blackpool zookeeper Lauren Shields Photo: blackpool zoo

The site on which the zoo now stands started life as an airport - the original air traffic control tower still stands overlooking the camel paddock. It is now used as keeper accommodation and the meeting point for history talks that take people on a journey through the years dating back to 1931.

2. Mabel Inainayah Patel, three, painting with dad Mubeen and zookeeper Harry Handford

The site on which the zoo now stands started life as an airport - the original air traffic control tower still stands overlooking the camel paddock. It is now used as keeper accommodation and the meeting point for history talks that take people on a journey through the years dating back to 1931. Photo: Wes Holmes

The zoo was proposed by former Dudley Zoo manager Cyril Grace following the closure of the Blackpool Tower Zoo in 1969. Other suggestions for the East Park Drive site include a horseracing track, a speedway, a Formula 1 circuit and even a Disney World - which came close to becoming a reality before being dropped at the last minute due to pressure from other attractions in the town.

3. Niamh, seven, Orla, three, and Ava Worthington, 11, making toys for monkeys

The zoo was proposed by former Dudley Zoo manager Cyril Grace following the closure of the Blackpool Tower Zoo in 1969. Other suggestions for the East Park Drive site include a horseracing track, a speedway, a Formula 1 circuit and even a Disney World - which came close to becoming a reality before being dropped at the last minute due to pressure from other attractions in the town. Photo: Wes Holmes

Blackpool Zoo was opened on July 6 1972 by Animal Magic presenter Johnny Morris, wh rode through the gates on a elephant accompanied by the Mayor in a Rolls-Royce.
To begin with, the zoo housed two Asian elephants, three white rhinos, two giraffes, sea lions, gorillas, chimpanzees, orang-utans, lions and two giant tortoises.

4. Riley, eight, and Peyton Evans, nine

Blackpool Zoo was opened on July 6 1972 by Animal Magic presenter Johnny Morris, wh rode through the gates on a elephant accompanied by the Mayor in a Rolls-Royce. To begin with, the zoo housed two Asian elephants, three white rhinos, two giraffes, sea lions, gorillas, chimpanzees, orang-utans, lions and two giant tortoises. Photo: Wes Holmes

Under the management of Cyril Grace, the , the zoo started out with a focus on Australian species such as tree kangaroos and wombats. For many years the zoo housed a large collection of Australian animals such as emus and various species of kangaroos, wallabies and swans.

5. Zookeeper Cameron Cooper shows guests some camel fur

Under the management of Cyril Grace, the , the zoo started out with a focus on Australian species such as tree kangaroos and wombats. For many years the zoo housed a large collection of Australian animals such as emus and various species of kangaroos, wallabies and swans. Photo: Wes Holmes

In 1982, ten years after the grand opening, Cyril Grace retired and the zoo was taken over by the parks and recreation department of Blackpool Council. In 1991 the parks department folded, and the zoo was taken over by the tourism department.

6. Ellen Nodding of Blackpool Zoo's education department

In 1982, ten years after the grand opening, Cyril Grace retired and the zoo was taken over by the parks and recreation department of Blackpool Council. In 1991 the parks department folded, and the zoo was taken over by the tourism department. Photo: Wes Holmes