Simply Bostin !

DZG took top spot in Beacon's Bostin' Black Country Awards - a big thank you to everyone who voted for us!

To see photos from the presentation evening:

http://www.beaconradio.co.uk

Lapal Primary School visit

Pupils at Lapal Primary School, in Halesowen, learned all about their favourite animals when DZG Education Presenter Caroline Parsons (left, with snake) and Education Assistant Amy Hickman (with chinchilla) visited the school.

Classic Cars in Castle Courtyard

Vintage vehicles from across eight decades lined-up in the shadow of the 11th century castle for the annual West Midlands Classic Car Club's Annual Show. Vehicles on display included a rare 1961 Daimler Dart, a 1954 Sunbeam Talbot saloon and a 1953 Morris Six ex-Police car. It was the 21st year the club has held the event in the courtyard.

Jambi's picnic party

Hundreds of under-fives joined our annual Teddy Bears' picnics on Wednesday, June 30 and Thursday, July 1 in Dudley Castle courtyard.

Activities included dance workshops, magic shows, face painting, story telling, party games and balloon modelling, plus a chance to meet DZG's very own costumed character, tiger Jambi.

This year's picnics also included an interactive sign language safari featuring children's TV favourite, Olli the signing monkey.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Things got simply curiouser when DZG members joined our Mad Hatter's Tea Party...

The July 10 event took place in the courtyard of the 11th century Dudley Castle included topsy turvy party games, magic and entertainment plus a prize for the best hat.

Jazz Fest Finale at Dudley Castle

Members of the Millennium Eagle Jazz Band are set to make the finale of Birmingham's 26th International Jazz & Blues Festival a soaring success with a date at Dudley Castle.

The jazz giants will be playing to fans in the courtyard of the 11th century castle at DZG on Sunday, July 25.

It's a festival debut for DZG and organisers are hoping that daytime visitors to the award-winning tourist attraction will extend their stay at no extra cost by strolling into the courtyard sounds, which start at 5pm.

The event runs from 5pm to 8pm with tickets priced at £4.50, £3 for concessions.

For more details visit birminghamjazzfestival.com or ring the ticket hotline on 0121 454 7020.

DZG lion featured on Inside Nature's Giants

DZG's late Asiatic lion, Max, will be featured on Inside Nature's Giants, on Tuesday, June 22, on Channel 4, at 9pm.

The four-part science documentary, which offers a fascinating insight into some of the world's rarest species, will see a double big cat post mortem carried out on Max, alongside a tiger, at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), University of London.

DZG CEO Peter Suddock said: "Max was an important male in the Asiatic lion gene pool and was taken to RVC for the purpose of post-mortem examinations, following his death from natural causes, which allowed veterinary surgeons to study his anatomy in detail.

"The event also provided RVC students with a unique experience in being able to witness the post mortem of a large wild animal - and that's a very rare opportunity."

"Here at Dudley Zoo we are very proud that we have been part of such an important series that highlights such a diverse range of animal anatomies, and this can only reinforce our education and research."

DZG's three lions go World Cup crazy

Football crazy keepers at Dudley Zoo kicked off World Cup celebrations with the site's very own three lions.

The trio of rare Asiatics have been perfecting their footwork in their one-acre paddock using an enrichment ball which keepers filled with meat.

Chief Executive, Peter Suddock, said: "The balls are used for animal enrichment and encourage the lions to hunt and play, but this week keepers painted some of the footballs red and white in honour of the World Cup and kicked them into the enclosure.

"Young male, Itar, headed the ball and then dribbled it across the paddock while the two females, Asha and Kyra, watched from the sidelines and were far more interested in the meat contents in the ball than they were in the game!"

Join the Barnardo's Toddle Ship

Ahoy there pint-sized pirates! Set sail on Barnardo's Toddle Ship at Dudley Zoo and help raise lots of loot for charity.

Organisers are hoping under-fives from across the West Midlands will join DZG's annual Barnardo's Big Toddle on June 9,10,11 and 15.

DZG CEO Peter Suddock said: "It's always a great event and has become an annual fixture in DZG's diary. We want to see lots of mini pirates taking over the courtyard and raising funds for Barnardo's."

Barnardo's fundraiser, Pauline Clark, said: "We already have nearly 3,000 children registered but we still have room for about 600 more and it would be fantastic to reach capacity. It should be a great day because children and families can enjoy the zoo after they've finished the Toddle and had their picnic."

The Barnardo's Big Toddle at DZG is a short sponsored walk around the castle courtyard which has a fancy dress theme swashbuckling pirates for the flagship event.

To join the Barnardo's Big Toddle at Dudley call Pauline Clark on 01902 683158, visit www.bigtoddle.co.uk <http://www.bigtoddle.co.uk/> or call 0845 270 9900.

PHOTOGRAPH: Swashbuckling duo Kian Avey, aged three, and DZG parrot prepare for the pirate-themed Barnardo's Big Toddle at DZG.

National Smile Month at DZG

Keepers at Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG) are brushing up on dental duties to mark National Smile Month (May 16 to June 16).

Chief Executive Peter Suddock said: "Regular check-ups are important. If an animal is grumpy the first areas to be checked are the gums and teeth, as they are often the cause.

"Several of the more manageable species in the collection, such as ungulates and primates have monthly check-ups, including our heavyweight Patagonian sealion, Orrie, (405 kilos) whose teeth are not only checked, but also cleaned, as part of his veterinary care."

Other species receiving a hands-on spring check this week include reindeer, tapir, babirusa and alpaca, while close-up inspections are in order for chimps, lemurs, orang utans and crocodiles.


PHOTOGRAPH: David Riley, Head of Presentation (Education) inspects Patagonian sealion Orrie's teeth during National Smile Month.

New Rothschild giraffe settles in

A new giraffe is setting hearts a-flutter among the herd at DZG.

Kubwa, a nine-year-old male, has joined the group of three female Rothschild giraffes after being transferred from South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Cumbria.

It is hoped he will breed with Kora, Sophie and Keyah, as part of international efforts to conserve the endangered species.

DZG Deputy Curator Richard Brown said: "Kubwa's arrival means that we now have an important breeding group and we will be playing a vital part in the international breeding programme for this species."

PHOTOGRAPHS: Kubwa, the newly-arrived rare Rothschild giraffe at Dudley Zoological Gardens.

Bromsgrove pupils' Creature Feature

Eighty pupils from Charford First School in Bromsgrove met some of their favourite small, tame animals during a Creature Feature in the zoo's Discovery Centre education block.

PHOTOGRAPHS (from top): Education Presenter Caroline Parsons with Julian the Dumerils boa and Charford First School pupils Jamie Withers and Jessica Sharp, both aged seven.

Caroline and Bolan the chinchilla with Charford First School pupils seven-year-olds Eve Begley and Daniel Gilham.

Zoo's royal date highlights best of British

Staff from DZG kept a royal date when they attended a VIP reception at Westminster Cathedral.

Chief Executive Peter Suddock, Head of Communications and Media Jill Hitchman and Head of Presentation (Education) David Riley were presented to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at the British Food Fortnight event.

They also compared foodie notes with BBC TV cooks, Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King, before tucking into a traditional afternoon tea prepared by youngsters from London¹s Olympics borough Forest Gate, with a little help from the country's leading chefs.

Peter Suddock said: "British Food Fortnight annually promotes the wide and excellent range of foods available across Britain.

"We were the first zoo to participate in its eight-year-history and organisers were so impressed with our efforts they invited us to the royal reception to talk about our campaign.

"We took part in British Food Fortnight because we know just how important it is to buy British  we¹ve been doing it for the past 73 years! Since the zoo was founded in 1937 we have sourced locally-grown food, bought from suppliers on our doorstep, and opted for seasonal produce wherever possible.

"There are more than 1,500 animals at Dudley Zoo, representing 168 species and that's a lot of mouths to feed.

"Our annual food bill tops £90,000 or roughly £1,750 a week, and we have to find those funds regardless of a poor season or low visitor figures, so we really do have to get the best possible value for money, which is why we buy British."

Dudley Zoo's collection includes some of the rarest animals in the world - Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers and a 70-strong colony of Humboldt penguins and they've got huge appetites.

Peter added: "We buy soft fruits and vegetables from Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire; cereals from Staffordshire and meat from a Midlands wholesaler. All on the doorstep and all suppliers with whom we have built up strong relationships. We support them year on year and are proud to be part of such a team.

"Our food has to be the finest and freshest, it's a myth that animals will eat leftovers and stale food; in the wild they are used to picking from the tree. Try offering a withered apple to an orang utan  then duck as he gives it back!

"Our freshest food is fish which arrives from Grimsby within a few hours of being caught. If we use older fish our sealions suffer upset tums  same goes for any of the animals if their food is not of the utmost freshness.

"It is vital our animals receive a balanced diet and we make sure they get it with seasonal produce that may not be available in their native lands but which supplies the necessary dietary requirements and offers a wider variety throughout the year."

Peter added: "The reception was a fantastic experience and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was very interested in the zoo's commitment and talked about some of the species within our collection, and the Hairy Bikers have promised to make a private visit, so we're going to try to persuade them to cook for us!"

Organiser Alexia Robinson said: "British Food Fortnight is a richer event with Dudley Zoo's participation which offered some of my favourite activities from eight years of running it. 

"It was utterly brilliant and their speech conveyed that perfectly - oh, to be an animal at Dudley Zoo!"

TOP PHOTOGRAPH: Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King share a stage with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

CENTRE PHOTOGRAPH: Keepers freeze chopped localy grown fruit to make ice lollies in the summer for more than 30 lemurs.

BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH: DZG Chief Executive Peter Suddock, Head of Communications and Media Jill Hitchman and Head of Presentation (Education) David Riley chat to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at the British Food Fortnight event.

Birds fly nest for breeding programme

Rare birds at Dudley Zoological Gardens have flown the nest as part of a worldwide breeding programme.

Five young Humboldt penguins have transferred to Birdland Park and Gardens, in Bourton-on-the-Water to widening the breeding colony's gene pool, as part of international conservation efforts.

It follows the transfer last November of five young Humboldt penguins from DZG to Exmoor Zoological Gardens, which previously had a colony of just six birds.

DZG is home to the largest group of Humboldt penguins in England, with approx 60 birds currently in the colony.

Its highly successful breeding programme has been recognised by BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), winning its award for sustained breeding of a species.

DZG Curator Matt Lewis said: "We have one of the best breeding programmes in the country for Humboldt penguins. There are usually about a dozen chicks bred here each year."

PHOTOGRAPH: DZG Curator Matt Lewis with a baby Humboldt penguin.

Bird keeper Joan, 85, back at DZG

Former bird keeper Joan Fellows took a trip down Memory Lane when she visited DZG.

Five decades on the 85-year-old was back at Castle Hill to see changes in avian husbandry and meet her modern-day counterparts.

DZG Senior Press Officer, Jill Hitchman, said: "Joan worked in the aviaries during the early 1950s and has very fond memories of the site.

"We put on a VIP day for her and showed her around the aviaries, incubation and hatchling areas and also the birds of prey section. She was over the moon when we put a gauntlet on her and she helped fly one of the owls."

Joan said: "I had a fantastic time but I can't believe how many birds there are in today's aviaries. I thought we worked hard but when I saw how many marvellous species the bird team have to look after I was amazed. They have a much bigger and varied collection that we did back in the 1950s, and they are encouraged to work with them and provide enrichment, which is wonderful to see."

PHOTOGRAPH: DZG Head of Birds Kellie Piper and Senior Press Officer Jill Hitchman with ex-bird keeper Joan Fellows and African spotted eagle owl, Kaiser

Pandas enjoy bamboo windfall

DZG's red pandas Yang and Yasmin are looking forward to an endless supply of bamboo, thanks to the generosity of a Shropshire family. 

Holly Osbourn,  husband Richard Nicholls and step-sons Leigh, Ryan and Matt moved house last year and discovered the crop growing in their four-acre garden this spring. 

Holly said: “It was a bit of a surprise and we didn’t know what to do with it until Leigh made the point that pandas eat bamboo, so we decided to offer it to Dudley Zoo.

“There is so much of it and it grows like wildfire, so we hope it can keep being harvested for the zoo’s pandas for years to come.” 

Deputy Curator Richard Brown said: “This donation is extremely useful because bamboo grown on site has become sparse since the red pandas arrived a few years ago, so this will help our own crops to recover. We'd like to say a massive thank you to Holly and her family for thinking of us.” 

Holly and her step-sons will be visiting DZG later this spring to help feed some of their home-grown bamboo to red pandas, Yasmin and Yang.

PHOTOGRAPH: DZG's Tom Beeston collects the donated bamboo from Holly Osborn, pictured with step-sons Leigh, Ryan and Matt  Nicholls.

Students' conservation workshop

Teenagers from Wolverhampton learned about endangered animals and
international conservation during a visit to DZG

A group of 14 A-level students from Kings School, in Tettenhall attended a
workshop in the Discovery Centre, followed by a tour of the site to see
endangered species, including rare Asiatic lions and free-roaming lemurs. 

TLC saves Lucy

Round-the-clock TLC ensured an orphaned squirrel monkey became a bonny baby at DZG, thanks to the parenting skills of Senior Curator Derek Grove.

The tiny monkey was born last August but, after her mother died in November, Derek stepped in to hand-rear her, and named her Lucy.

Derek said: "Lucy was tiny and we hand-fed her baby milk for a couple of months, but she is growing well and is now getting used to the other squirrel monkeys in Monkey Tails."

Squirrel monkeys are the smallest species of monkey and are native to South America.

Key Attractions chief celebrates British Tourism Week

Staff at DZG celebrated British Tourism Week (March 15 - 21) at one of the West Midlands' oldest visitor attractions.

Chief Executive, Peter Suddock, who is chairman of Key Attractions, the body representing 15 top tourist attractions across the region, said: "Tourism is a major part of the West Midlands economy and culture and right here in the heart of the country we have the best selection of visitor attractions across the UK.

"The 15 sites represented in Key Attractions bring in half a billion pounds and nine million visitors to the West Midlands and are hugely important to the area's future."

Founded in 1937, DZG is home to some of the rarest animals in the world with international conservation programmes for Sumatran tigers, Asatic lions, Humboldt's penguins, Lar gibbons and Madagascan lemurs. The site, which also incorporates the 11th century Dudley Castle and the world¹s largest collection of iconic Tecton buildings, attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually.

Throughout British Tourism Week staff ran exotic Creature Features and Horrible History Workshops plus a series of talks and feeds around the site.

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.

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."

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".

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 

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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....

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

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.