Passionate workers at Blackpool Zoo shared their excitement over the new Big Cat Habitat opening which welcomed some old, and new, feline faces.

Big Cat Habitat, which cost £1.5 million, opened to the public on Friday, May 26 and has been designed to encourage natural behaviour.

One way the zoo keepers have implemented this is through stimulating feedings by hiding food round the paddock.  

Rebecca Reynolds, head of education, conservation and research said: “We encourage the challenge by spreading carcasses round the paddock and it’s their choice, which one they want to go for. They can climb and use their claws and exercise to be able to eat their food and create as natural an environment as possible for them so it’s exciting.”

Each side of the house has a large indoor area including heated mock rocks created and carved from scratch as well as multi-functional log platforms to provide options for exercise and enrichment, as well as plenty of sunbathing and relaxation spots.

Adam Kenyon, section manager, has worked with animals for more than two decades and says he is delighted to welcome new technology into the zoo to care for the animals.

He said: “The facility now gives the opportunity for more choice and more challenge. Naturally in the wild they would come up against various challenges and they would make choices and that’s something we want to replicate in our environment here at Blackpool Zoo.

“We provide those challenges and aim to replicate the naturally biology, physiology of the animal. Whether that’s hunting, taking down prey, so what we do is replicate that by attaching feed up high on platforms so they’ve got to climb so they’ve got to use those upper body muscles around their shoulders and again that develops that body condition.

“In regard to the substrate naturally in their wild, cats have various substrates so that’s something we also replicate here. Males especially if they’re marking territories will defecate or urinate and then they’ll kick it up. If you’ve got solid floor, that behaviour is not possible.

“So, if you’ve got an interactive substrate, if you’ve got bark, sand or the grass it allows you to do that. We’ve got the pools and the water sources which are more naturally so they can drink and swim, certainly in the case of the Amur tigers.

“So it’s very much about looking at the species and what makes them tick, what makes them work biologically and looking at how we can replicate that.”

The new facility will also mean visitors can enjoy a better experience when they come to see the big cats.

New, wider windows give sweeping views of the houses and paddocks and the exterior walls display themed, informational three-dimensional exhibits and artwork to teach people about the species and the threats they face in the wild.

In addition, regular talks and feed sessions will allow the education, conservation and research team at Blackpool to teach and inspire visitors about the conservation efforts for lions and tigers at the zoo and across the world.

Darren Webster, zoo director at Blackpool Zoo said: “We continually strive to improve our facilities for our animals and this significant investment is the latest in a long line of projects that demonstrate our commitment to excellence.

"Both Amur tigers and African lions face many threats in the wild and we work hand in hand with in-situ conservation projects and charities across the world to raise money and awareness to help these magnificent species.

"The Big Cat Habitat facility has been designed to encourage natural behaviour and the animals will have the choice as to where they are and what they do in their respective exhibits.

"This entire project has been overseen by our excellent keepers as well as a grounds and maintenance team and I want to congratulate them on a job well done.”