Gorillas get new climbing frame thanks to South Lakeland Parks
Holiday park operator South Lakeland Parks has come to the rescue of Blackpool Zoo’s gorillas by supplying the attraction with 29 trees in order to build a new climbing area.
Having initially put out a call for help via the local newspaper, Blackpool Zoo were inundated with calls from locals asking if the zoo would like to collect trees from their gardens, however it was South Lakeland Parks’ offer that enabled the zoo’s vision to become a reality.
Judith Rothwell, head of marketing and PR at the Zoo commented: “The initial response from our request for trees was most amusing with many people appearing to think we were offering a gardening service! However thankfully we received contact from South Lakeland Parks with a genuinely amazing offer of a large number of trees, meaning we can provide the gorillas with a much needed new climbing frame.”
South Lakeland Parks made the offer of the trees following a luxury new development at their upmarket Fallbarrow site near Bowness. The company is currently redeveloping a section of land to make way for a selection of luxury new, state-of-the-art lodges. The area of land is surrounded by a large number of trees, 34 of which are to be removed. The request issued by Blackpool Zoo came at a time when South Lakeland Parks was in the planning stages and immediately became an obvious solution for use of the unwanted trees.
“When we saw the request we realised it was a fantastic opportunity to do something positive with the trees we were having removed. It is nice to know that we are able to provide these animals with a new climbing frame that will delight both them and visitors to Blackpool Zoo.”, explained Nigel Wimpenny, managing director for South Lakeland Parks.
Removal of the trees began this week and the logs are expected to reach Blackpool Zoo by 13th or 14th September. Work on the new climbing frame is scheduled for autumn, with the hope it will all be completed for the 2011 summer season.
For more information about South Lakeland Parks new luxury lodge development at Fallbarrow visit www.slparks.co.uk or call 015395 69835. For information about Blackpool Zoo and the new gorilla enclosure visit www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk