A celebration of zoo history

Wednesday 2nd December 2009

DUDLEY Zoo staff have put pen to paper to write a double book celebrating the animals and buildings at the town landmark.

The two-in-one coffee table book gives a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes work at the zoo, as it 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 zoo Registrar and Research Co-ordinator Dr David Beeston, press officer Jill Hitchman and Native Species Co-ordinator Ian Hughes.

While Jill also wrote ‘Towers and Tectons: A View from the Hill’ - to coincide with the recent announcement that the Zoo's tecton animal enclosures and buildings have been recognised by the World Monuments Fund as being of international importance .

Zoo chairman, Councillor David Sparks, said: “This book is absolutely fantastic. The unique combination of zoology, geology, archaeology, botany, history and architecture is all there in this treasure trove.”

"Dudley Zoo and Castle is clearly positioned as a major resource for conservation and the book will be a firm foundation on which to develop this role into the 21st century.”

The 160 page book is also colourfully illustrated with stunning photographs of some of the zoo’s best loved animals and its famous architecture.

All proceeds from the book, which is priced £15 and available from the zoo gift shop, Waterstones or Borders, will go towards the zoo’s Madagascar Campaign to help lemurs in the wild.

And library users can also get their hands on a copy, as 13 libraries in the borough have agreed to stock the book.

For more information and to purchase the book online visit dudleyzoo.org.uk

http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/blackcountry/4771687.A_celebration_of_zoo_history/