The zoo was once a thriving attraction that drew tens of thousands of visitors a year, but its 51-year history came to an abrupt end - and people still remember it vividly.08:26, 29 May 2026A much-loved zoo which once acted as the vibrant hub of its neighbourhood stopped all activities after 51 years - and people still remember it vividly.‌In Southport, where Adventure Coast Southport (previously known as Southport Pleasureland and Pleasureland Theme Park) now stands, the renowned zoo was once home to more than 1,000 animals - before being forced to close its doors.‌The contentious Merseyside zoo was run by husband and wife Douglas and Carol Petrie and housed 154 species of birds and wild creatures - though not without attracting condemnation and demonstrations from animal welfare campaigners and organisations.‌The origins of Southport ZooThe roots of the original Southport Zoo stretch right back to 1953, when its founding owners, Frank and Helena Farrar, created a one-acre 'Pet Corner' which was intended to be a refuge and sanctuary for the small number of creatures residing within its perimeter, reports the Liverpool Echo.As a tribute to their devotion and affection for big cats, the Farrars launched the Southport Model Zoological Garden for Children near Pleasureland's seafront.‌Within around a decade, the pair had extended their humble 'Pet's Corner' to six acres and amassed an impressive and varied collection of birds and animals, also establishing breeding programmes and similar initiatives.Southport Zoo expanded dramatically from its modest origins on the promenade, rapidly growing into a sprawling animal sanctuary. The zoo eventually housed species including African lions, snow leopards, gibbons, chimpanzees, reptiles and parrots.Yet among its residents, there were two undisputed stars - Chiefy and Rajah.‌Chiefy was the celebrated leopard who achieved national recognition by featuring in several films during the 1950s. However, it was Rajah the lion who truly put the zoo on the map, becoming a silver screen sensation and landing numerous roles in blockbuster pictures of the era.The Farrar's animals were renowned for being impeccably trained and exceptionally well-behaved, generating a reliable source of revenue for the couple and cementing their enduring ties with the entertainment industry.‌All the animals at the zooIn 1967, Douglas and Carol Petrie took over the management of the zoo.The couple remained at the helm until the zoo finally shut its gates for good in 2004. At its peak, the zoo was attracting around 67,000 visitors each year.By that point, Southport Zoo had welcomed mandrills, giant tortoises, flamingos, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, reptiles, owls and pheasants into its collection.‌The zoo even welcomed a quartet of newborn penguins, Eeny, Meeny, Miny and Mo, in July 2001. The four baby Jackass penguins were born as part of a dedicated breeding programme at Norfolk's Barnham Farm in a bid to protect the endangered species.ControversyThe Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) claimed Southport Zoo was one of Britain's worst zoos in 2002, and at one stage the zoo faced weekend pickets from members of two animal welfare groups passionately calling for its closure.‌According to The Guardian, protesters claimed they had documented remarks from numerous zoo visitors who were said to be distressed by what they had seen and the conditions of the animals within the zoo. Former keepers at the zoo, alongside welfare organisations and animal behaviour specialists, reportedly voiced their concerns over the zoo's conditions to the publication.Owners Carol and Douglas Petrie, however, strongly rejected any accusations of mistreatment towards the animals under their care.RSPCA senior scientific officer, Tim Thomas, had said at the time in a statement: "We had a total of 70 calls to our zoo helpline in the last year. Only two zoos received more complaints than Southport.‌"If we believe that an offence under the relevant welfare legislation is being committed, we will consider a prosecution." Thomas had stressed at the time that no prosecution had been instigated against the zoo.Presenting the alternative perspective and examining the matter more closely, Telegraph and Argus published a series of letters by people backing the Petries.‌Closure and what came nextIn 2004, Sefton Council refused to extend the zoo's lease, forcing it to close permanently. The zoo's entire animal collection was dispersed throughout the country, with most rehomed at smaller zoos, while the larger animals were moved to Cumbria.The site was later bought by Pleasureland to expand the theme park. After closing, the former zoo land was transformed into a paintball facility before being reimagined and reopened in 2010 as Battlefield Live Southport, which has also now permanently closed according to its Google business listing.Throughout the years, the old zoo grounds have hosted Halloween attractions run by Southport Pleasureland.‌Now engulfed by trees and thick vegetation, the deserted zoo still features the original crumbling animal pens and dilapidated structures that previously housed a visitor centre, feed and tool storage - all hidden within a dark and heavily forested path.The people rememberComments on Sefton Live's Facebook page saw people reminiscing about the zoo, with one person writing: "Remember going as a child loved going if only I was aware would never have gone never educated or made aware of situation but looking back now was not appropriate place for animals I scarcely remember it being small glad times have changed and appropriate measures put in place around zoos."‌Another former zoo visitor said: "I loved the zoo - gutted they got rid of it."While one user wrote: "Yes, I cheered the day it was closed - dreadful place."Others recalled sad memories of seeing the animals in the zoo, with one individual sharing: "The lion lying on concrete was pretty sad."Article continues belowWhile another Facebook user said they were "some of the saddest animals I've ever seen".