Southport Zoo
Encyclopedia
Southport Zoo was a 6 acres (2.4 ha) zoological garden in Southport
, Merseyside
, England run by Carol and Douglas Petrie. Historically within Lancashire
, it was located close to the Pleasureland
amusement park. It was home to 154 species of wild animals and birds, but closed in 2004.
The animal collection included chimpanzees, lar gibbon
s, African lions, mandrills, flamingoes, giant tortoises, parrots, black-and-white ruffed lemur
s, reptiles, owls
and pheasants.
so it could extend the park and create more attractions. In 2005 the zoo site became a paint ball park, before the fairground closed a year later. Some groups claimed that the contract was not renewed for the zoo due to animal rights campaigners and protests creating bad publicity.
When the zoo closed, the Petries moved to Yorkshire taking many animals with them to a new zoo they were creating at Yorkshire Dales
Falconry and Conservation Centre in Giggleswick
, which had recently closed. The majority of the animals were re-homed and had to be spread across the country, large mammals were rehoused in Cumbria and the primates went to a sanctuary in the Midlands and other animals went to a smaller zoo in Wales. The Petries had wanted to keep th older animals at the new zoo as they had cared for them for many years. Due to campaigning by the Captive Animals Protection Society
an application was withdrawn to build new exhibits at the falconry site. It is believed that the animals taken with the family were allowed to stay but not for public show as their zoo license did not extend to exotic animals.
Ten people lost their jobs when Southport Zoo closed. These included the collection manager and five section keepers (carnivores, paddocks, primates, birds and reptiles) and the estates manager and three members of staff.
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, England run by Carol and Douglas Petrie. Historically within Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, it was located close to the Pleasureland
Pleasureland Southport
New Pleasureland, previously named Pleasureland, is an amusement park located in Southport, Merseyside, England. The original park operated from 1912 to 2006 and was closed by the parent Blackpool Pleasure Beach company due to what they stated was a lack of returns after investment...
amusement park. It was home to 154 species of wild animals and birds, but closed in 2004.
The animal collection included chimpanzees, lar gibbon
Lar Gibbon
The lar gibbon , also known as the white-handed gibbon, is a primate in the Hylobatidae or gibbon family. It is one of the better-known gibbons and is often seen in zoos.-Range:...
s, African lions, mandrills, flamingoes, giant tortoises, parrots, black-and-white ruffed lemur
Black-and-white ruffed lemur
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is the more endangered of the two species of ruffed lemurs, both of which are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities...
s, reptiles, owls
OWLS
OWLS is a mnemonic used by general aviation airplane pilots to assess an unprepared surface for a precautionary landing.Like all mnemonics this check has become part of aviation culture and folklore.OWLS:* Obstacles* Wind direction...
and pheasants.
| Number of species | Number of animals | |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | 33 | 124 |
| Birds | 60 | 193 |
| Reptiles | 31 | 128 |
| Amphibians | 3 | 12 |
| Fishes | 23 | 166 |
| Invertebrates | 4 | 649 |
| Total | 154 | 1272 |
Closure
The council did not allow the Petries to renew the lease on the zoo site and gave the lease to PleasurelandPleasureland Southport
New Pleasureland, previously named Pleasureland, is an amusement park located in Southport, Merseyside, England. The original park operated from 1912 to 2006 and was closed by the parent Blackpool Pleasure Beach company due to what they stated was a lack of returns after investment...
so it could extend the park and create more attractions. In 2005 the zoo site became a paint ball park, before the fairground closed a year later. Some groups claimed that the contract was not renewed for the zoo due to animal rights campaigners and protests creating bad publicity.
When the zoo closed, the Petries moved to Yorkshire taking many animals with them to a new zoo they were creating at Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is the name given to an upland area in Northern England.The area lies within the historic county boundaries of Yorkshire, though it spans the ceremonial counties of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria...
Falconry and Conservation Centre in Giggleswick
Giggleswick
Giggleswick is a village and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England near the town of Settle. It is the site of Giggleswick School.-Origin of name:A Dictionary of British Place Names contains the entry:...
, which had recently closed. The majority of the animals were re-homed and had to be spread across the country, large mammals were rehoused in Cumbria and the primates went to a sanctuary in the Midlands and other animals went to a smaller zoo in Wales. The Petries had wanted to keep th older animals at the new zoo as they had cared for them for many years. Due to campaigning by the Captive Animals Protection Society
Captive Animals Protection Society
The Captive Animals' Protection Society is a UK charity campaigning to end the use of animals in entertainment, including circuses, zoos, the exotic pet trade and the audio-visual industry.-History:...
an application was withdrawn to build new exhibits at the falconry site. It is believed that the animals taken with the family were allowed to stay but not for public show as their zoo license did not extend to exotic animals.
Ten people lost their jobs when Southport Zoo closed. These included the collection manager and five section keepers (carnivores, paddocks, primates, birds and reptiles) and the estates manager and three members of staff.