Blackpool Zoo's new £500k giraffe habitat gets name
The Kidepo Trail relates to an area of Uganda where the animals come from
The £500,000 giraffe development at Blackpool Zoo has been officially named as the Kidepo Trail in tribute to conservation efforts in Uganda.
Inspired by the Kidepo Valley region, the name reflects the Nubian Giraffe Conservation Project, which is directly funded by Blackpool Zoo through the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. The zoo has donated over £10,000 to the project, with more plans for fundraising this year.
Adam Kenyon, Section Head at Blackpool Zoo, explained the significance of the naming:
“We are long-term supporters of the Nubian Giraffe Conservation Project, so the name has real meaning for us.
“This exciting development represents a new era for giraffes and sitatunga at Blackpool Zoo, and the immersive savannah experiences and extended viewing platforms mean that visitors are in for an African-inspired treat.
“We’re all really looking forward to unveiling Kidepo Trail at Giraffe Heights in time for the Easter holidays!”
Alongside the new name, construction continues to triple the size of the giraffe habitat and expand viewing areas for visitors at Giraffe Heights. The development, set to open in time for Easter, includes safari-style lookout points, African savannah soundscapes, and animal encounters.
The sitatunga antelope herd, native to Africa, will join the giraffes in the new mixed-species paddock, supported by a purpose-built stable at one end of the enclosure.