VISITORS can cast their vote to decide which redevelopment project Dudley Zoo takes forward next year.

Everyone who adds the 10 per cent voluntary donation to their entrance fee will receive a token which will allow them to have their say.

There are three projects to choose from - the first will see the fencing adapted in the chimp enclosure to enable keepers to introduce males to the all-female group.

The chimps' climbing frame would also be extended and additional viewing facilities would be created for visitors.

The second proposed development includes reinstating brown bears back into the Tecton Bear Ravine and building separate internal dens at the far end of the paddock as well as providing a large climbing frame.

The third option is to extend the Sumatran tiger enclosure across the rear bank, as well as creating new housing with visitor viewing and building additional climbing frames and platforms.

Zoo director, Derek Grove, said: “The three projects put forward for the vote are part of our long term development plan, which we estimate would cost us £250,000 each.

“We wanted to give those visitors who support us through donations an extra say in the timings of our work as they’re the ones who are helping us contribute more to conservation.

“Visitors have until the end of the year to vote for their favourite plan and we’ll focus on the winning project next year, although if we’ve got enough funds available we’ll move on to the other projects too.”

The zoo is currently in the midst of a £295,000 redevelopment programme, having already built a new lynx indoor den and an extended capuchin enclosure.

Work is now taking place on a new farm barn and the zoo is still set to extend the snow leopard enclosure and rebuild the triple parrot aviaries as well as continuing to raise the £800,000 needed for an outdoor enclosure for the Bornean orangutans.