At Parques Reunidos, conservation is more than a responsibility. It is a calling. Our animal parks are home to initiatives that protect endangered species and connect visitors with nature in meaningful ways. One of the most inspiring examples comes from Blackpool Zoo, where EleFest has grown into a beloved celebration of community, learning, and elephant conservation.

We spoke with Kristian Bold, Research & Conservation Officer at Blackpool Zoo, about how this initiative began, its impact so far, and what lies ahead for elephants, both at the zoo and in the wild.

Kristian, for those who haven’t heard of it before, what exactly is EleFest?

 EleFest is our biennial community conservation event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the conservation of Asian elephants. We launched it in 2018 with the goal of bringing together our local community to celebrate these incredible animals while supporting projects that protect them in the wild.

Since then, it’s become one of the highlights of our calendar, a fun and meaningful evening that combines education, conservation, and a memorable visitor experience. So far, we’ve welcomed close to 10,000 visitors and raised more than £30,000 for elephant conservation!

Why did you choose to focus on Asian elephants in particular?

Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, and with only about 40,000 left in the wild, their future is uncertain. Habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans continue to threaten their survival.

At Blackpool Zoo, we’re privileged to care for the UK’s largest breeding herd of Asian elephants*, which gives us a platform, and a responsibility, to tell their story. Events like EleFest allow us to connect people emotionally to the cause and demonstrate that everyone can play a role in helping protect this species.

In 2024, you formed a partnership with the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation (STEF). How did that come about?

We were looking for a conservation partner that shared our values and had a direct, on-the-ground impact, and STEF was a perfect match. They’re a veterinary charity based in Khok Kloi, Southern Thailand, providing free care to elephants across the region.

Our first major fundraising event supporting STEF, EleFest 2024, raised over £14,000, and more than 3,500 visitors got to learn about their incredible work. What’s really exciting is that this partnership isn’t just about funding; it’s also about exchanging knowledge and expertise between our teams to improve elephant welfare both here and abroad.

Tell us a bit about your elephant herd at Blackpool Zoo.

We currently care for seven Asian elephants, each with their own personality and story. Our eldest elephant, Kate, is 56 years old and has been with us since she was two. She is a firm favorite with our regular visitors!

And then there’s Zaiya, our first successfully born elephant calf, who arrived in 2025. Her name means “Strength” in Indonesian, and she truly symbolizes the hope and resilience of her species. Seeing the public meet her for the first time will make EleFest 2026 especially meaningful.

EleFest seems like a massive undertaking. How does the team make it happen?

 It’s a true team effort; that’s what makes it so special. The idea came from our Education and Conservation team, but the whole zoo gets involved. The Elephant Care Team, visitor services, grounds, maintenance… Everyone contributes in their own way.

Our goal is for visitors to leave inspired and informed, whether they’re learning about the elephants, speaking to conservation experts, or simply enjoying the evening atmosphere. That sense of shared purpose really embodies what Parques Reunidos stands for: collaboration, passion, and care.

What kind of impact has EleFest had beyond the zoo gates?

EleFest has shown that local action can have a global impact. By working with conservation organizations operating in-situ, we’re able to support vital efforts such as veterinary treatments, wildlife crime investigations, and community outreach in elephant-range countries.

We’ve also contributed to broader international initiatives like the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. It’s how small actions add up to real change.

Finally, what’s next for EleFest and for Blackpool Zoo’s conservation journey?

EleFest will continue to grow as our biggest conservation event for years to come. Each edition, we aim to raise more awareness and funds than the last. But our vision goes beyond elephants. We hope other parks will be inspired to create similar events to strengthen their own conservation efforts, and we’ll gladly support them in doing so. At the end of the day, conservation is a collective effort. By sharing ideas, experiences, and successes across parks, we can make a real difference — together.

At Parques Reunidos, we believe conservation thrives when communities unite; from the guests who visit our parks to the teams that dedicate their careers to protecting wildlife. EleFest stands as a testament to that belief: a celebration of care, collaboration, and hope for the future of elephants.

*As of November 2025.