BLUE PETER SAILS INTO ACTIVE OCEANS AT BLACKPOOL ZOO
2/8/2011 9:06 AM EST
Classic children’s TV favourite Blue Peter will be sailing into Blackpool Zoo during the half-term holiday.
Presenter Andy Akinwolere will be spending two days getting to grips with the zoo’s resident sea lions and mastering the basics of wowing a crowd in the public displays in the Active Oceans Arena.
The footage will be aired on Blue Peter, which is the world’s longest running children’s TV programme.
Filming will start on Tuesday 22nd February when Andy will meet head sea lion keeper Khaled Fawzy and take part in the sea lions training sessions throughout the day.
He will concentrate in particular on teaching the youngest member of the harem, one year old Elmo, a new behaviour using the positive reinforcement techniques that are employed by keepers at the zoo.
On the second day he will do some more training with Khaled before taking the lead role in one of the public displays.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Coordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “It is fantastic that Blue Peter are sending Andy along to look at how we work with our sea lions and everyone is very excited about meeting him.
“All the behaviours we teach our sea lions either mimic how they act in the wild, help us carry out health checks or give them extra enrichment and stimulation.
“Our displays are educational and fun and we are it will be great to see Andy take the lead role.”
“We hope to see lots of people from Blackpool and beyond come and support Andy in his efforts and cheer him on.”
The Active Oceans Arena was completed in 2010 after a two year, £2million investment. It is home to Magellanic penguins and Californian sea lions.
Other half term activities include three daily creepy crawly sessions and three chances to hand feed the giraffes each day (tickets are £5 from the Amazonia shop).
As part of its fundraising activities for the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Ape Campaign Blackpool Zoo will also be running competitions such as gorilla ‘poo’ throwing and name the fluffy gorilla.
Visitors will also be invited to enter a special draw which gives adults the chance to go behind the scenes at the Ape house and meet the gorillas or children the opportunity to meet the lemurs.
Half-term visitors can save up to 10% by pre-booking tickets online at www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk
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Pictures show: Active Oceans at Blackpool Zoo.
Notes to Editors:
- Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world wide player.
- Blackpool Zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes. The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orangutans, sea lions, zebras and kangaroos.
- Blackpool Zoo is open every day from 10am.
For further information please contact:
Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383,
; ; or .