Blackpool Zoo is offering 40 per cent discount next month for people who live in these postcode areas

To kick things off the zoo is showing appreciation to its local community and loyal members with the return of its popular March Markdown initiative, offering residents a 40 per cent discount on admission throughout March.

The annual offer is available to residents of Blackpool, Wyre and the Fylde (postcodes FY1 to FY8, PR3 and PR4) as a gesture of appreciation to communities who support the zoo year-round, not just during peak visitor periods.

Local residents can also access 20 per cent off Silver, Gold and Platinum memberships throughout March.

In 2025, Blackpool Zoo recorded its highest visitor numbers since opening in 1972, surpassing its previous record year in 2019 by six per cent.

While the milestone is a cause for celebration, it comes at a time of increasing financial pressure for visitor attractions locally and across the country.

Despite rising operating costs, which included higher employer National Insurance contributions, business rates and utility bills, the zoo continues to invest in animal welfare, visitor experience, sustainability and accessibility to ensure long-term resilience.

These efforts were recognised when the zoo added to its ever-growing trophy cabinet by winning the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism’ and ‘Large Visitor Attraction’ accolades at the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

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Investing in the future

Investment across the site included a £500,000 redevelopment of the outdoor giraffe habitat, which will open in spring. It is part of the Giraffe Heights attraction and has been officially called the Kidepo Trail.

The name is inspired by the Kidepo Valley in Uganda, which is a geographical area covered by the Nubian Giraffe Conservation Project that is directly funded by Blackpool Zoo through the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

Work to triple the size of the external area, which is currently home to O'Grady and Olympia the giraffes, and increase the public viewing area with an extended walkway, began last autumn and the facility will feature African savannah soundscapes, safari-style lookout points, educational trails and animal encounters.

Ongoing work to ensure Blackpool Zoo is a zoo for all has also delivered results. Funding for improvements in accessibility, inclusive design and staff training have helped attract a broader audience and remove barriers to enjoying the zoo experience.

Conservation in action

A new Conservation Strategy and a five-year Native Species Marton Mere Project action plan was also launched at the end of 2025. Shaped by global conservation priorities and strengthened through local partnerships, the strategy sets out how Blackpool Zoo will continue to protect wildlife and inspire future generations.

In addition, last year was marked by one of the most significant moments in the zoo’s history after the birth of a rare Asian elephant calf named Zaiya. Her arrival captured hearts across the nation while highlighting the zoo’s long-term commitment to excellence in animal care and its vital role in international breeding programmes for endangered species.

Darren Webster, Zoo Director at Blackpool Zoo, said: “While we are incredibly proud to have welcomed more visitors than ever before, we are also very aware of the challenges facing our sector.

“Rising costs mean success has to be carefully balanced with long-term sustainability and we introduced several initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint, with more in the pipeline.”

He added: “March Markdown is one of the ways we can thank our local community for their year-round support, which allows us to keep investing in our animals, our people and our future.

“We firmly believe that conservation should sit at the heart of everything a modern zoo does and our strategy reflects who we are and what we value.”

The 32-acre zoo cares for over 1,000 animals from all over the world.