Dudley Zoo
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| Date opened | 1937 |
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| Location | Dudley, West Midlands, England |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Land area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Number of animals | 940 (2006) |
| Number of species | 163 (2006)[1] |
| Major exhibits | Tigers, Chimpanzees, Lemur Wood |
| Website | www |
Dudley Zoological Gardens is a 40-acre (16 ha) zoo located within the grounds of Dudley Castle in the town of Dudley, in the Black Country region of the West Midlands, England. The Dudley Zoological Society was founded in 1935, and the Zoological Gardens opened to the public on 18 May 1937.[2]
Contents
Animals
In 2003, in common with other urban zoos, Dudley parted with their two female African elephants so that they could benefit from more spacious surroundings. The remaining large animals include giraffes, tigers, lions, reindeer, wallabies, and three snow leopards, the latest being born in May 2013. Primates are well represented, and there are several aviaries and a reptile house. The zoo has over 1,000 animals from over 200 species; most of these are endangered and are the product of captive breeding programmes.
The Dudley Zoo has housed polar bears and was once home to Cuddles, a male orca, or killer whale. He was housed at the zoo from 1971, until his death in February 1974. The dolphin and whale pools were modified seal and sea lions pools with the walls being built up to create more depth. However, these plans fell foul of the local planning laws and the zoo was ordered to return the pools to the original state. As the zoo was not prepared to invest in new purpose built pools the whale 'Cuddles' was put up for sale, but died before being moved, from long-term gastro-intestinal problems. The pools were returned to their original design and now house sea lions.[3]
The zoo is currently expanding its education department with a variety of workshops available for schools.
Mammals
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Big cats
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Primates
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Architecture
The zoo buildings include twelve listed buildings, seven Grade II and five Grade II*, erected in 1937 by Berthold Lubetkin's Tecton Group which employed, among others, structural engineer Ove Arup. Most of the zoo buildings are art deco in style.[6][7][8][9]
In 2011, the zoo announced refurbishment and renovation plans for the zoo's listed buildings and parts of the zoo itself; totalling £1.15 million. Initial funding for the project has been met by the Heritage Lottery Fund.[10]
In January 2013, newly released construction proposals indicate the entrance to the zoo will connect with the Black Country Museum and the Dudley Canal Trust, creating a single entrance for the three attractions.[11] The entrance is due for completion in September 2015.[12] Focus will then shift to the bear pits, which zoo officials say will be renovated to provide "a dramatic backdrop in the landscape"[13] This was the subject of an investigation by the Born Free Foundation in 2012.[14]
Artistic connections
A painting by Percy Shakespeare, Tropical Bird House, Dudley Zoo (c.1939,), is in Dudley Museum and Art Gallery.[15]
In 2015, 89-year-old artist Rama Samaraweera, who was inspired to paint while a keeper at Dudley Zoo, donated three original oil paintings to the zoo to express his gratitude. His painting Clouded Leopard was a best-selling print in America in the 1970s.[16]
Castle
Access to Dudley Castle, a Grade I listed building built in the 11th century, is included in the zoo entrance fee.
Chairlift
A visitor chairlift was erected between the zoo's entrance and the castle in 1958. It was taken out of use in 2000 due to health and safety concerns. In August 2012 the chairlift was reopened after a 12-week, £117,000 restoration which included returning it to its original light cream colour.[17][18]
References
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External links
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
