Make Mum's Day at DZG

We're hoping to make mum's day with a special Mothering Sunday package.

Wake Up The Zoo is a two hour programme that allows mums and their families to get really close to some of the rarest animals in the world - it will certainly be a Mum's Day with a difference and would make a fantastic gift!

The itinerary for Sunday, March 14 runs from 8am to 10am and includes:

• 8am Arrival

• 8.20am Meerkat Feed & Talk

• 8.45am Meet & Feed the Tapir

• 9.20am Meet & Feed the Sealions

• 9.40am-10am Meet and Feed the Giraffes

Mums will get a complimentary hot drink, cake and small cuddly toy animal.

The costs is £20 per adult, £15 per child (min 8yrs+). For further details call 01384 215313.

Voyage of Discovery at Dudley Zoo

New interactive talks at DZG will allow children to see weird and wonderful animals in a whole new light this season.

Youngsters will be able to use hi-tech equipment, including a snakeoscope and mini microscope, to see a host of animals in close-up, from a spider's eye to a cockroach's shell.

Using a computer, close-up images revealed by the new technology can be projected on to a screen for visitors to see during the workshops.

Latest winter news...

• TOP PHOTOGRAPH: Bornean orang utan, Jazz, fashions a makeshift cape to brave the elements

• BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH: A rare black and white lemur explores a papier mache enrichment lantern filled with his favourite food treats as part of Chinese New Year celebrations at DZG

DZG takes lion's share of artwork

DZG has clawed in the lion's share of artwork by students at Staffordshire University in the shape of an organic installation crafted as part of their foundation year studies.

DZG CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "We were delighted to be offered the lion and would like to say a big thanks to Staffordshire University. We have installed it in the zoo's farm activity barns where he is admired daily by young visitors."

It's the Year of the Tiger!

Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21

Join us for an action-packed half-term at DZG, with something for all ages to enjoy.

To celebrate Chinese New Year we've put together an exciting oriental theme to mark The Year of the Tiger.

Events include...

• Zoo trail to find 12 animals in the Chinese calender - plus a chance to win a Tiger Adoption
• Daily appearances by DZG mascot Jambi at our Tiger Talks
• Discover craft activities in the Farm Barn and learn more about sheep, rabbits, roosters and pigs featured in the Chinese calender
• 11am-3pm daily in the Discovery Centre make a tiger mask, choose a Chinese character or dragon tattoo and join the tiger face painting team
• Chinese lantern papier mache drop in sessions  decorate the lanterns with Chinese characters and animals, plus enrichment workshops to make and fill lanterns which will be given to Sarah, DZG's Sumatran tiger.
• Themed Creature Features at 12.30pm with bearded dragon, snakes and rats.

So come along and join the fun... and DO make time to try our DZG special orange with chocolate ripple Tiger ice cream!

Dudley Zoo Sponsored Walk

A Black Country sister and brother are taking steps to raise funds for DZG through a sponsored walk.

The trek from Dudley to Bridgnorth is the brainchild of 16-year-old Rachel Loftus who will be tackling the 16-mile walk with her brother, Alex, aged 11, on Saturday, March 7.

Rachel said: "I love the zoo and decided a sponsored walk would be a great idea to raise funds. When I told Alex about it he said he would come along, too."

To sponsor Rachel and Alex on their Dudley-Bridgnorth walk click here to go through to our online sponsorship pledge page.

Discover Darwin at DZG

As part of our half-term celebrations marking Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, Education Presenters have put together a Zoo Trail taking in ten animals that Darwin would have seen on his HMS Beagle voyage.

Good weather boosts DZG's Comic Relief donation...

Staff at DZG went on red alert for Comic Relief and raised £500.

As part of the 'Do Something Funny for Money' campaign keepers organised a Red Toes trail around the 25-acre site, for visitors to spot a variety of exotic animals including red panda, giant red-kneed spiders, red-eared terrapins and red-ruffed lemurs.

DZG CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "It was great fun, the Red Toes trail took in a wide variety of animals across the whole of the zoo site, so visitors had to keep their eyes peeled.

We were very fortunate with fantastic weather over the weekend with 900 visitors on Saturday - that's as many as we get at the height of the summer - and those extra numbers really made a difference to our donation".

Pingu marks 18th birthday at Dudley Zoo...

One of DZG's rarest penguins has celebrated his 18th birthday.

Pingu is the great, great, great, great grandfather of our 60-strong colony of highly endangered Humboldt’s penguins.

Pingu was one of just five penguins which started DZG’s hugely successful breeding programme for the species in the 1990s.

Curator, Matt Lewis, said: “The original group had to be reared by hand to guarantee survival, but now we have one of the largest parent-reared colonies in Europe and birds from our collection have helped start Humboldt’s families across the UK".

Early start at DZG...

DZG's Wake Up The Zoo tour provides an opportunity to go behind the scenes at one of the country’s busiest zoos... and get close to a variety of exotic and endangered animals.

The exclusive guided tour shadows keepers as they go about their daily duties of feeding, cleaning and caring for the animals.

The tour includes sealion, giraffe and penguin feeds plus the chance to get close to some of the rarest species in the world before the general public comes on site.

PHOTOGRAPH: 'No crocodile tears' for trainee keeper Cerys Grove, above, as she joins the Wake Up The Zoo tour 

National Smile Month at DZG

Keepers are brushing up on dental duties to celebrate National Smile Month.

Chief Executive, Peter Suddock, said: “Regular check-ups are important for all our collection; if an animal seems out of sorts one of the first areas to be checked is the mouth, as it’s often the cause of discomfort.

Whenever an animal has to be sedated for inoculation or veterinary care, we check the teeth as routine, and several of the more manageable species have monthly check ups”.

PHOTOGRAPH: 'Smile, please': Keeper, Laura Robbins, brushes up on dental care with Brazilian tapir, Chico, as part of National Smile Month.

Rare otters' debut

Three baby Asiatic short-clawed otters are making a splash at DZG as part of a major conservation programme for this rare species.

Senior keeper Nicola Wright said their arrival was a major success for DZG's breeding programme.

She said: "This is the first litter of otters we have bred here, so we are absolutely thrilled. It is fantastic to see the youngsters because it is what we are all working for.

People love to see the babies - they are so cute and playful at the moment, so we often get a bit of a jam of visitors in front of the otter enclosure, watching the cubs frolicking about".

Soaring success in courtyard

An exciting new attraction at DZG is proving a soaring success with visitors.

Birds of prey, including an African spotted eagle owl and a snowy owl have been trained by DZG staff and make daily appearances in the courtyard of the site’s 11th century castle.

• PHOTOGRAPH: Keeper Kellie Piper with snowy owl, Arwen. 

Black and white reindeer born

The first white reindeer to be born at DZG is settling in well with her family group.

Lily, along with three black females named Jet, Willow and Blossom, and caramel-coloured male Forest were born mid spring.

Who let the dogs out...

Four African hunting dogs have settled into a new home at DZG.

The Amsterdam-born brothers – nine-year-old Bram and six-year-old triplets Morani, Bem and Chicani – transferred to DZG from Colchester Zoo as part of a conservation programme for this endangered species.

CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "The dogs are very social animals and are settling in well".

Keepers transformed the former lion enclosure into a new paddock for the dogs, complete with glass viewing tunnel and dome to allow visitors to get close to the species. The paddock also includes a heated pad for the dogs and internal house.

Harry's zoo life featured on national children's TV...

Schoolboy Harry Lewis talked about the lions, tigers and lemurs in his back garden when he appeared on national children's TV in a feature about his life at DZG.

Harry, son of Curator Matt Lewis and zoo keeper Lesley, was shadowed by a film crew from children's favourite, Newsround, who wanted to know all about his favourite animals and how he helps mum and dad at one of the country's busiest zoos.

Explorer Days are a big success

Hundreds of Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs and Beavers from across the country joined Explorer Days at DZG.

Experiences included talks and shows, Explorer Trails, Creature Features, plus a special badge for every participant.

Classic car line-up 'best ever' at Dudley Castle

 The driving force behind West Midlands Classic Car Club annual show at Dudley Castle said this year's event was the 'best ever' in the club's 30 year-history.

Organiser, Maurice Cole, marked the club’s anniversary with a display of more than 60 vehicles in the 11th century courtyard.

Solicitors brush up on zoo lore

Trainee solicitors swopped pens for paintbrushes when they visited DZG under a community voluntary work scheme.

Paralegals (legal assistants) and trainees from Harrison Clark LLP Solicitors, based in Worcester and Cheltenham, helped spruce up the animal enclosures during their visits.

Staff heading for Czech Republic

DZG staff are jetting off to the Czech Republic as part of an ideas-swopping venture.

A total of 10 employees, including keepers and education staff, will visit Zoo Dvur Kralove over the next 10 months. The trip is being funded by the European Leonardo da Vinci education exchange scheme.

PHOTOGRAPH: DZG education presenter Caroline Parsons and keeper Kirsty Thornton get set for their trip to  Czech Republic.

Guides' party celebrates 100 years

It was partytime as hundreds of Brownies and Guides took over DZG to celebrate the centenary of the Girlguiding movement.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, members of the Senior Section and adult volunteers involved with Girlguiding West Mercia took part in the milestone celebrations.

Shropshire farmers moo-ve in

Farmers from across Shropshire spent a day visiting DZG to learn about the breeding and care of rare animals.

Around 50 members of Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture toured the site, seeing the range of endangered animals kept at the zoo and learning about its role in international breeding programmes.

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Building society adopts Sophie

DZG giraffe Sophie has captured the hearts of staff at a Black Country company.

Representatives of Dudley Building Society, based in nearby Stone Street, were so taken with the 15-year-old Rothschild's giraffe on a visit to the zoo that they decided to sponsor her under the Animal Adoption scheme.

DZG takes top tourist award for seventh year

Staff are celebrating after winning a top tourist attraction award for the seventh consecutive year.

The VAQAS - Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme - award is issued by VisitBritain and follows tough inspection of the Zoo site and its facilities.

DZG book launch

A double book celebrating the animals and buildings at DZG has been launched on Friday, November 20.

The two-in-one work outlines conservation and research at the Castle Hill site alongside the history of the world's largest collection of Tecton buildings.

Conservation and Research at DZG: Making Time for the World's Rarest Animals was penned by Registrar and Research Co-ordinator Dr David Beeston of Birmingham, DZG writer Jill Hitchman, of Shropshire and Native Species Co-ordinator Ian Hughes, of Lanarth, Wales.

Towers and Tectons: A View from the Hill was written by Jill Hitchman, who also designed and edited the 160-page coffee table book.

Illustrations are by award-winning photographers Paul Bishop, of Lower Gornal, and Phil Riley, of Stourbridge.

DZG Chairman, Cllr Davd Sparks, OBE said: "This book is absolutely fantastic.

"The unique combination of zoology, geology, archaeology, botany, history and architecture is all there.

"This treasure trove is brought to life in an easy-to-read format.

"Dudley Zoo and Castle is clearly positioned as a major resource for conservation.

"The book will be a firm foundation on which to develop this role into the 21st century."

CEO Peter Suddock, said: "The books showcase two very different aspects of DZG.

Priced at £15, copies of the book are available from the Zoo's Safari Shop, online at  www.dudleyzoo.org.uk or by calling 01384 215313. It is also on sale at Waterstone's and Borders bookstores.

Proceeds from the book will go towards DZG's Madagascar Campaign to help lemurs in the wild.

PHOTOGRAPH: Write on! (from left) Registrar and Research Co-ordinator Dr David Beeston, DZG writer Jill Hitchman and Native Species Co-ordinator Ian Hughes take a look at the new book.

Compare our meerkats calendar

There's a chance to compare the meerkats at DZG with the launch of our 2010 calendar.

Designed by Senior Press Officer Jill Hitchman, with illustrations by Lower Gornal photographer, Paul Bishop, the calendar features the site's collection of meerkats, including recent arrivals, Sergei and Aleksandr.

The calendar, priced £9.50, is available from the Zoo's Safari Shop, online or by calling 01384 215313.



PHOTOGRAPH: Deputy Curator Richard Brown with DZG's 2010 calendar

Dudley Zoo celebrates volunteers…

DZG celebrated the role of a vital team on International Volunteer Day.

The site’s 25 volunteers share duties ranging from caring  for the education department’s tame animal collection to talking to visitors at the castle.

DZG Chief Executive Peter Suddock said: “We are privileged to have such a brilliant team who are willing to give their time freely to help out. Their generosity enables us to offer an extra special day out - and their regular commitment, always with a ready smile and chat for the visitors, is a boon to the business. 

“At DZG we are all proud to be part of a committed, dedicated workforce and that most definitely includes our volunteers.”

Here come the girls...

By day, they care for some of the rarest animals in the world, following a strict beauty regime that includes oiling the skin of tapirs, brushing sealions’ teeth and trimming the antlers of Santa’s reindeer.

But when it’s time to party female keepers at DZG shed their daytime camouflage, grab the glitz and and morph into glam girls about town.

The zoo babes make up 60 per cent of the keeping staff at the busy West Midlands site. A keeper’s role is still perceived by many as male territory, but the girls are here to stay, sharing heavy physical duties, conservation programmes and animal management studies alongside male colleagues every day of the year, in all weathers.

DZG CEO Peter Suddock explains: “Keepers are selected on their merits and dedication, ability and personality are all important, but there is also an academic side to the job and staff are expected to study for relevant qualifications.

“It is the first time in DZG’s 72-year-old history that there have been so many female keepers on the staff. There have always been women keepers here, but in the early years they were given less demanding roles, such as pony girls and jobs on the farm and in Pet’s Corner, whereas nowadays they are rising to the top of the profession.”

He added: “Zoo keeping is a very demanding job, it is physically hard work and our keepers have to be fit. They also have to be committed and ready to brave the elements. It’s a very rewarding job and such a huge privilege to get so very close to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on planet earth.”

The Beeb and the Book

A BBC camera crew moved on site to record footage from our latest book which chronicles the history of a unique collection of Modernist buildings at DZG.

Towers and Tectons: A View from the Hill, by Jill Hitchman, which also highlights conservation and research work at DZG, features the site’s iconic Tecton buildings which have received international status from the World Monument Fund.

The Beeb team interviewed Jill and DZG Chief Executive, Peter Suddock.

Jill said: “The footage highlights theis hugely important collection of buildings and also looks at other iconic structures around the world which have received WMF status including Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal.”

The 12-strong group of buildings, set around the 11th century Dudley Castle, forms the largest collection of Tectons in the world. Designed by renowned architect Berthold Lubetkin, a Russian emigre, they were constructed between 1935-37 using reinforced concrete, and are recognised as of immense architectural significance within the Modernist movement.

PHOTOGRAPH: The BBC team film the writer Jill Hitchman, with her book Tectons and Towers: A View from the Hill, against the backdrop of the former birdhouse, one of the iconic Modernist buildings at DZG.

Muriel adopts lizard - seven decades after first visit

An octogenarian who visited DZG on its opening day in 1937 has achieved another ‘first’ by adopting a newly-arrived bearded dragon.

Animal crazy Muriel Thatcher, aged 83, from Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, has adopted many of the site’s collection during the last 72 years but is the first adopter to take on Edmund, the colourful lizard.

Birds eye view at Dudley Zoo

Staff at DZG are urging visitors to join a national birdwatching campaign this weekend.

Keepers and native species specialists want members of the public to join them in taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend (January 30-31).

The annual event, the world’s biggest bird survey, invites people to watch and count the birds in their garden or local park for an hour. The results helps the RSPB keep track of bird populations across the UK.

Staff at DZG will be counting birds in their gardens over the weekend but also on the zoo’s 25-acre Castle Hill site, which attracts a host of bird species.

Registrar and Research Coordinator Dr David Beeston said: “We are always keen to support initiatives which help with the research and conservation of our native species.

“Some of our keepers live on the zoo site and have big back gardens, so they will certainly be taking part in the national birdwatching event.

“The results of this project are invaluable to the RSPB for keeping an eye on bird populations across the country.”

Wild birds which can be seen on the DZG site include blue tits, great tits, long-tailed tits, chaffinches, grey and pied wagtails, nuthatches, treecreepers, bullfinches, greenfinches, magpies, woodpeckers, owls, pigeons, sparrowhawks, kestrels, robins, wrens and goldcrests.

Dr Beeston added: “We would also urge people to help our wild birds by putting up nest boxes in their gardens ready for the spring, in support of National Nest Box Week, which runs throughout half term from February 14 to 21.”

Fir trees used for enrichment projects

A big thank you to Himley Garden Buildings who donated 25 fir trees for enrichment projects.

Managing Director Mark Cutler handed over the surplus Xmas trees, which were distributed around several enclosures and paddocks, to Deputy Curator Richard Brown.

Business as usual, despite snow

DZG kept open throughout the cold snap, despite plummeting temperatures, with keepers travelling for up to two-and-a half hours into work. Gardening and Maintenance staff came in early to clear paths and roads at the 25-acre site to ease morning transport of food supplies.

Peter Suddock said: "It's very much business as usual here at DZG. All of our animals have to be cared for regardless of the snow and ice and our staff are a very dedicated team who brave the elements daily to look after some of the rarest creatures in the world."

He added: "Despite the chilly conditions we are getting visitors - many of them keen photographers who are making the most of this wintry weather to get some fantastic shots of their favourite animals in the snow."

Cool for cats

Sumatran tiger, Sarah, kept her cool at DZG during the cold snap.

The 13-year-old big cat among the most endangered species in the world explored the frozen enclosure and paddock before testing the icy water in the pools.

CEO Peter Suddock said: "It's probably the first time Sarah has seen deep snow and she was a bit timid at first when she ventured out, but she spent a while playing and seemed to enjoy the drifts."

The smallest surviving sub-species, there are fewer than 500 Sumatrans in the wild with males reaching up to 2.4m in length and weighing up to 150kg.

Strictly... at DZG

BBC TV's  Strictly Come Dancing film crew called in on DZG to see just how staff - and their animals - would be voting in Saturday's final.

CEO Peter Suddock and his herd of reindeer revealed they had sent a special letter to Santa in favour of Chris, with a similar story in Lemur Wood where Pat Stevens and the black-and-whites were cheering for the cheeky sports presenter, while over at the Birds of Prey display Kellie Piper said she and owl Kaiser hoped Ricky would soar to success!

DZG double book launch and signing

More than 100 guests, including MP Ian Austin (Dudley North) and Midlands historian and celebrity Professor Carl Chinn, attended a double book launch and signing at DZG.

Towers and Tectons: A View from the Hill, by Jill Hitchman and Conservation and Research at DZG: Making Time for the World's Rarest Animals by Dr David Beeston, Jill Hitchman and Ian Hughes were launched at a reception in the zoo's Queen Mary Restaurant on November 20.

Introductions were by zoo chairman, Cllr David Sparks OBE, internationally renowned zoologist Joe Gipps, and Prof Chinn.

Proceeds from the books, which are available from www.dudleyzoo.org.uk and at Waterstone's and Borders bookstores, will gowards the zoo's Madagascar Campaign to help lemurs in the wild.

To see photos from the book and launch event please click here.

PHOTOGRAPH: Left to right - Authors Dr David Beeston, Jill Hitchman, Ian Hughes
(front) photographers Phil Riley and Paul Bishop

Rare shots of newborn meerkats

Meet DZG's newborn meerkats the mini mammals, captured by DZG photographer Paul Bishop, were born September 8.

Senior Press Officer, Jill Hitchman, said: "These are very rare photographs; it is most unusual for meerkats to be born outside the nest, but it was a beautiful warm day when they arrived and mum just brought them out into the sunshine."

Jill added: "Paul had gone to the meerkat enclosure to get some shots for our calendar when he saw the babies clinging close to mum.

"They are stunning shots, and so rare  very few keepers have seen such young meerkat pups  we were all really pleased with the photographs."

Mum, Mabel, and offspring are settling in well with the rest of the mob in the Reptiliary Tecton enclosure.

Delight at Tecton announcement

DZG is delighted at the decision by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) to place the site's 12 iconic Tectons on an international list of buildings in need of protection. Fellow sites to share the status include Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal and the Cathedral of St James in Jerusalem.

Constructed by renowned Russian-born architect, Berthold Lubetkin, DZG holds the world's largest collection of Tectons. The organic concrete structures were designed primarily to house animals and the site was described as the 'most modern zoo in Europe . . . a zoo without bars' when it opened to the public in 1937.

CEO Peter Suddock said: "We have been working closely with the 20th Century Society and English Heritage for almost two years and this is the culmination of those efforts - to ensure a global focus on the world's largest collection of Tecton buildings.

This announcement puts us on the world map and will help us get funds for the restoration of these important buildings."

They have long been recognised as architecturally important structures and our much acclaimed launch of Lion Ridge has proved they can be adapted and used for their original purposes; as enclosures and housing for some of the world's rarest animals.

Click here to read more....

Time to Toddle

Thousands of under fives took part in Dudley Zoo's annual Barnardo's Toddle around the 11th century castle courtyard. 

The event, now in its twelfth year at DZG, saw youngsters, plus parents and teachers, join the sponsored walk which has been spread over four days due to massive interest.

Marketing Manager, Julia Lockett, said: "The event started off as a one-day Toddle back in 1997 and has grown over the years to be one of the biggest under-fives annual fund-raising dates in the region".

The Toddles take place on June 2, 3, 10 and 11. For more details visit www.dudleyzoo.org.uk or call 01384 215313.

Itar, the pride of DZG!

Meet Itar, the young Asian lion who has joined female Gir in Lion Ridge, our new one acre enclosure which was designed by DZG's keeping staff.

CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "Itar is a fantastic lion, he's just 20 months old and has settled really well".

Asian lions are among the most endangered on earth, numbering fewer than 500 across the world.

Mr Suddock added: "It's a privilege to have such a beautiful creature within our collection. DZG is renowned for its breeding of large cats, and we are sure that tradition will continue with this magnificent lion".

Glimpse of of Dudley Zoo's past...

A surprise email attachment revealed a series of sepia photographs of Dudley Zoo in 1939.

They were sent in by David J Kendrick, who said: "The photographs were taken by my late mother, Renée Kendrick, at Dudley Zoo in 1939". 

Mr Kendrick, Collections Officer and Keeper of Archaeology at Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, added: "The light and foliage give the impression of summertime, so these must have been taken just before, or around, the outbreak of World War Two in September of that year and I wonder if the animals were put down?".

He added: "I hope the photographs will be of some use, or at least give some amusement".

DZG Press Officer, Jill Hitchman, said: "These photographs offer a fascinating insight into life at Dudley Zoo in 1939, and we are grateful to Mr Kendrick for his very kind gesture.

The site had been open to the public for just two years, so all of the enclosures were as new, and it is interesting to see the animals within the collection.

Although many of the keepers were called up to join the conflict, no animals were destroyed during the war as the Zoo was staffed by a Mums' Army of volunteers made up of local women who helped care for the collection.

Despite rationing there was not a shortage of food for the animals as the Zoo banks were allowed to go to seed and cut with scythes to provide feed for livestock and vegetables were grown in allotments near the Zoo car park.

Local families donated homegrown produce to the Zoo and in April 1941 the national Daily Sketch newspaper reported that Dudley Zoo was the only place in the country without rationing!".

She added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Kendrick as these photographs are very precious to DZG and will be added to our archives".

• TOP PHOTOGRAPH: Polar Bear enclosure at Dudley Zoo in 1939

• BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH: Bison paddock at Dudley Zoo in 1939

Photographs: Renée Kendrick

Dudley Castle raising flag for St George’s Day...

Staff are standing by to celebrate St George’s Day.

A patriotic red and white flag will be flying from the 11th century Dudley Castle and members of DZG’s education team will be explaining English events through the ages to visitors on Thursday, April 23.

DZG CEO, Peter Suddock, said: “Although the flag of St George constantly flies atop the castle we always replace it on the eve of the anniversary with a new one to mark a very important English date.

The raising of the flag is part of a tradition at DZG and we are all very proud to seeing it flying from one of the Black Country’s best-loved landmarks”.

Website weaves gold success for DZG. . .

Dudley Zoological Gardens' website went gold in the prestigious Black Country Hotel & Tourism Awards.

DZG CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "We are delighted with the award. It's the fourth year running we have picked up a top trophy and everyone at the zoo is over the moon."

The glittering, Mardi Gras themed awards ceremony saw more than 200 tourism personnel from across the region converge on the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill for the black tie event.

Hosted by Heart FM's breakfast team, Ed James and Rachel New, the evening celebrated the quality, excellence and uniqueness of the region's tourism venues, its products and its people.

Mr Suddock added: "The website has grown to be a huge part of our business and is updated regularly with all out news and events. We've had lots of positive feedback and it's fantastic that the zoo team's efforts have been recognised in these prestigious awards."

DZG also took bronze in the Large Visitor Attraction section.

Painting the town... red!

In addition to the Red Toes Trail, staff also turned the spotlight on the site's ancient castle and lit the 11th century monument in red.

Mr Suddock, said: "We are one of a handful of landmark buildings across the country who lit up for Comic Relief. The castle can be seen for miles across the Black Country and it looked stunning".

Dudley Zoo's 2009 Calendar voted No 1...

Midlands Today's footage of Dudley Zoo's 2009 Calendar has been voted No 1 video on BBC's national website!

Just hours after the calendar was launched Beeb website viewers across the country logged in to see video film featuring DZG keepers wearing only a smile.

See for yourself - click here to view the video on news.bbc.co.uk.

Click here to buy a calendar now.

Meet the bare keepers...

Cheeky zoo staff are hoping their bare essentials
will boost funds for a conservation project, and raise
a monthly smile.

Keepers shed their uniforms for DZG's 2009 calendar,
and proceeds from the sales will go towards our Madagascar Campaign to help lemurs in the wild.

The calendars, priced at £9.50, are on sale at the Safari Shop or available online - but hurry, they're selling fast!

Click here to buy online or call 01384 215313.

Be a Keeper for a Day...

Every year hundreds of people across the country join DZG's Keeper for a Day programme.

They shadow keepers as they go about their daily duties with some of the most endangered animals on the planet.

There's a chance to learn about favourite species and discover why they need help to survive.

Each visit is very different; it's a unique experience and a great privilege to be able to get so close to the world's rarest animals.

Why not join us . . .
it's a fantastic gift for any occasion - and a day you'll never forget!

Click here for full details on Little Zoo Keeper and Keeper for a Day plus our new Double Package.

Dudley Zoo photographer snaps up national award....

A photograph of a Dudley Zoo snow leopard brought a surprise wildlife award for amateur cameraman, Paul Bishop.

Paul's shot of the endangered big cat won Wildlife Vets International Prize for Best Photograph of Endangered Species at the prestigious BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) awards, held at at Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire.

Paul aged 38, of Lower Gornal, said: "I was absolutely stunned when I found out about the award. I love wildlife and have recently started supplying Dudley Zoo with animal photographs for their adopters' library, but I had no idea they had entered my work."

"Taking pictures of wildlife is a real passion of mine, and I'm so fortunate to have the zoo on my doorstep. It really started as a minor hobby, and zoo staff noticed I was often around with my camera and invited me to help with their photographic library. "

"I've never entered any sort of competition before, and to have this as my first success is just incredible."

Paul's photograph, entitled Thirsty Work, captured the eye of BIAZA judges who voted it their favourite out of hundreds of amateur entries from zoos and wildlife parks across the country.

DZG Press Officer, Jill Hitchman, said: "Paul is a dedicated cameramen who will spend hours waiting for a shot, and his work is simply stunning. It takes a great deal of patience and concentration, as well as good photographic skills, to get it right and we felt his work deserved recognition."

"His pictures have been compared with some of the best wildlife photography in the country and we are justifiably proud of his award."

A series of limited edition prints, mounted, numbered and signed by the photographer are available from the online shop.

DZG has scooped prestigious awards from the zoo world in recognition of our pioneering conservation work with endangered native species.

Certificates were presented to DZG's Native Species Co-ordinator, Ian Hughes, by Chairman of BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Simon Tonge, at an awards ceremony at Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire.

DZG was among 16 winners chosen from 77 entries in the annual BIAZA awards, which recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the fields of wildlife conservation, advances in animal welfare and husbandry and sustained breeding programmes.

DZG CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "This award-winning programme demonstrates how modern zoos can be a powerful force for conservation, tackling issues such as species extinction in the wild."

"As one of the most historic sites in the country, with more than one thousand years recorded activity, we are very aware of the importance of conservation. It is absolutely vital that our native species are protected and we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised by the zoo world."

He added: "Many of our conservation projects are with little-known, but hugely important species. They are long-term behind-the-scenes programmes that rarely attract publicity, but are a crucial cog in the planet's eco-wheel. They are time consuming and intense and these awards honour the endeavours of more than a decade's work."

Director of BIAZA, Dr Miranda Stevenson, said: "These award-winning programmes demonstrate the huge investment of energy and resources made by our leading zoos to support habitat and species conservation. Conservation within zoos and aquariums is a vital part of the work to protect threatened species and to help change public behaviour and ensure the future of Planet Earth."

"These awards recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that our members are making to conservation, environmental education and raising public awareness. Equally, they are standard bearers for excellence in animal husbandry and welfare."

DZG's Awards:
Significant contribution to conservation breeding for the Barberry carpet moth breeding project including the success breeding and reintroduction of this species since 1993, plus a Commendation in this category for Operation Triops and the excellent work on the breeding and conservation of the tadpole shrimp.

There was also a Special Commendation for promotion of invertebrate conservation for DZG's work in this field, including Kerry spotted slug, Geomalacus maculosus; fairy shrimp, Chirocephalus diaphanous, mud snail Lymnaea glabra and ladybird spider Eresus sandaliatus.

Best Field Conservation Project
for Dudley Castle Moat amphibian sanctuary the conservation of the great crested newt in the Dudley Castle moat plus a Commendation in this category for The Barberry Carpet Moth Conservation Project - field conservation of this threatened British moth

Commendations were also received for Best Marketing Project: (Trick or Treat: sponsored Hallowe'en walk) and Best Education Project: (Arovako I Madagasikara - Conserve Madagascar: teaching young people about conservation and life in Madagascar).

DZG staff said farewell to croc-crazy schoolboy, Will Rennison, as he set off for a new life in Australia.

And it was a special moment for Head of Reptiles, Graham Chilton, as he handed over a much prized possession to 13-year-old Will, from Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, who has been a keen supporter and adopter at DZG for the past four years.

CEO, Peter Suddock, said: "Will is mad about crocodiles and since he was nine years old he has taken part in our Junior Zoo Keeper scheme where he got close to some of the rarest animals in the world, particularly our West African dwarf crocodiles. "

"These experiences have inspired him to want to study animal care and management when he leaves school, and although he
will be many thousands of miles away, we know he will keep in touch
with the friends he has made among our keeping staff."

Graham Chilton, who led Will's reptile encounters, said: "Will is an amazing
lad, he's so confident with the crocs and is very relaxed. We'll all miss
him and wish him well in his new life."

Will is the adopter of DZG crocodile, Crikey, named after his hero, the late Steve Irwin.

Staff presented Will with a special poster to mark his Keeper Days at DZG, and Graham also handed over his copy of Life in Cold Blood, a recently-published book by David Attenborough on reptiles, personally signed by the author.

David Attenborough visited Dudley Zoo in the 1960s when he rode on one of the collection's elephants in the castle courtyard following a guided tour of the site.

Graham added: "I know Will was impressed when he learned I had travelled down to the Natural History Museum in London earlier this year to get the book signed and has heard about my conversation with Mr Attenborough about his visit to DZG, and he
was thrilled when I gave it to him to take with him to Australia."

Will said: "I had a wicked time it was so good to get really close to the crocodile. I want to say thank you to Graham and I promise to keep in touch with DZG when I am in Australia."

Will, along with parents, Sarah and Steve and sister Izzy, visited DZG's Reptile House for the last time this week before their journey to Perth.

Minister for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne MP, met rare Rothschild's giraffes at DZG when he visited the site as a guest of the biannual St Thomas's Community Games.

International rugby player tackles spider fears...

Long legged hairy beasts usually pose no problem for International Rugby player, Lewis Moody.

But when the England flanker faced a Chilean red kneed spider at DZG he found himself on shaky ground.

Lewis, 29, was taking part in an arachnophobia session in a bid to tackle his spider fears. He said: "If I see a spider in the bath I shout for my wife to take it away - I just can't stand them."

The Leicester Tigers player spent four hours at the Castle Hill site where DZG Education Presenter, David Riley, talked him through his fears, explaining spider behaviour and anatomy before teaching him breathing exercises and a mantra . . .and introducing him to a tarantula named Chilli.

David said: "Lewis was in control throughout the session and there was a code for him to use if he wanted me to take Chilli away, but he was fine and remembered what we had covered in the session and he actually managed to hold her in his hands for several minutes."

Lewis said: "When the spider was placed on my hand I could hardly feel it it was so light. I couldn't bear to look at it at first, but I used the mantra to stay in control and I was OK."

Reporters, photographers and cameramen from The Times, Daily Star, Metro and an international news agency followed Moody through the session . . . but declined to take part!

CEO Peter Suddock, said: "It was fantastic to see how Lewis managed to overcome his fears. He was fine right up until the moment when the spider was brought out and then he started to panic, but with David's advice and encouragement he was able to conquer his arachnophobia."

The session was part of Wrigley's Airwaves Kick Up a Gear campaign which encourages people to take on a challenge.

For further details about DZG's arachnophobia sessions visit dudleyzoo.org.uk or call 01384 214313.