Orville the duck flies into Dudley Zoo (From Dudley News)

Orville the duck flies into Dudley Zoo

10:56am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

A UNIQUE species of duck learned to fly for the first time at Dudley Zoo .

But keepers were not needed to lend a helping hand in this task, as the avian in question was cuddly Orville who, along with ventriloquist Keith Harris, popped in to the Castle Hill attraction to take a ride on the newly launched chairlift.

Keith said: "Everyone knows Orville can't fly, but the chairlift gave him an amazing experience – he didn't want to get off!

"Of course, I had to stay on with him in case he got scared, but he was absolutely fine and loved every minute of his flying lesson."

The pair visited the zoo to launch the official partnership between Dudley Zoo and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, which they are set to star in, alongside former Coronation Street stars Sherrie Hewson and Ken Morley, who played the loveable couple Reg and Maureen Holdsworth.

And as the attraction is sponsoring the dress rehearsal on Friday December 7, zoo staff have more than 1,000 free tickets to give away to community groups, schools, charities and local organisations.

Anyone who is interested in securing some of the tickets are urged to contact Dudley Zoo’s marketing manager, Julia Lockett, by emailing julia.marketing@dudleyzoo.org.uk