Dudley Zoo and Castle celebrates 85th anniversary

Around 2,000 guests enjoyed children’s entertainment, competitions and face-painting in the castle courtyard, while zoo mascot, Jambi, greeted guests and there were meet and greets with the site’s birds of prey and small critters throughout the day.

Zoo director Derek Grove and senior keeper Kriss Pearson introduce Grafton the owl, to visitors Lucy Thorpe and Matt Hawkins. Pic - Dudley Zoo and Castle

An exhibition in the 11th century castle took visitors on a trip down memory lane with archive photographs and displays of memorabilia from the zoo’s past eight decades.

Many of the zoo’s exotic larger species were also given birthday treats throughout the day, including a tapir friendly cake for Brazilian tapir, Chico.

Brazilian tapir Chico enjoys some animal friendly birthday cake – served by senior keeper Laura Robbins. Pic – Dudley Zoo and Castle

Zoo manager, Matt Lewis, said: “It was fantastic to see so many families enjoying a great day out in the sunshine for our anniversary, some who had even turned out in 1930s clothing like our first visitors would have been dressed.

“And it was lovely hearing stories from our visitors of how the zoo has played such an important part in their lives over the years.

The zoo's meerkats check out their treats. Pic - Dudley Zoo and Castle

“The zoo has continued to evolve over eight decades and at the moment we have lots of exciting things happening on site, with brand new animal species and new enclosures and we look forward to the next 85 years.”