Dudley Zoo and Castle

We’re delighted to launch ‘Coffee, cake and Castle Hill’ – a new free community initiative to connect more people with nature and each other!

Come and join us!

Read more: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/coffee-cake-...

We've secured funding from the UK government, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to deliver an exciting new initiative here at the zoo.
We’ll be revealing more tomorrow, but as part of our launch, our team are meeting shoppers in Dudley this week.
www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/funding-succ...

We've got a mystery for you this Monday morning...
There's a tiger hiding somewhere in this photo - can you spot her?!
😜

We’re wishing Coco the binturong a very Happy 6th Birthday today!

Thank you to the staff at Stewarts Vets – our local zoo veterinary team – who raised £88.35 for our animals during a recent open day event at their Brooke Street practice.
The money will be used to purchase enrichment items for some of our species.

Don't forget our current admission offer - up to two children go free to DZC with every full-paying adult!
The complimentary entry applies every day until Friday, November 28, but tickets need to be pre-booked on our website.
Book here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/kids-go-free/

Did you know Dudley Castle has a Friends group?
It’s a group of like-minded local people who look to support and promote the 11th century castle as a major treasure of British heritage.
If you’d be interested in finding out more about the group, please visit friendsofdudleycastle.co.uk

Look at that bush doggy paddle!
It’s only taken over a year – but one of our one-year-old brothers braved the habitat’s pool & swam underwater to the delight of keepers who spotted them for the first time!
Bush dogs are a semi-aquatic species with partially webbed feet.

Have you spotted lots of ladybirds in your homes and gardens recently?
We’ve had swarms of harlequin ladybirds & their larvae appear around the lower zoo site as the tiny critters begin looking for somewhere to hibernate.

There’s set to be frighteningly good fun at DZC this Halloween half term with our 'FRIGHTS, FEATHERS & FUR' event.

Find out what's going on here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/frights-feat...

Yesterday was International Zookeeper Day, a special day to celebrate the vital work zookeepers do for animal care & wildlife conservation.
If you’d like to find out what it really takes, why not take part in one of our keeper experiences?
Find out more here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/.../be-a-zoo...

It's a special day as it's World Animal Day & International Zookeeper Day!
We thank our team for their continued devotion, care & huge contribution towards conserving animal species great & small for future generations.

Come and hang with us this weekend – as kids go free at DZC!
Running every day until Friday, November 28, up to two children can visit for free with every full-paying adult admission ticket pre-booked on our website.
Book here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/kids-go-free/

Please be advised that until mid-Nov, pedestrian access will be temporarily unavailable across the DZC staff car park from Castle Hill.

Zoo visitors will have to follow a signposted pathway further down Castle Hill.

Find out more here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/temporary-di...

Rotten logs collected by keepers from around site proved to be simples, natural enrichment for our meerkat mob!

They were kept busy for ages scratching the bark to forage tasty bugs!

There’s still time to snap up tickets for next week’s afternoon Zoo History & Tecton Walk & Talk events.
The guided talks, which are taking place on Thurs 9th & Sat 11th Oct from 2pm – 4pm, will focus on the construction of the site’s Tectons.
Find out more: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/zoo-history-...

Sleepy dogs!
Our bush dogs were spotted making the most of the autumnal sunshine with some family sunbathing on their platform.
Can you spot some of our babies? They’re growing up quickly!

The leaves are starting to fall around 40-acre site signalling the start of our shorter opening hours.
From today, last entry to DZC will be 2pm, with the zoo closing to visitors at 4.30pm.
Our reduced hours will remain in place until springtime.

We’re set to celebrate National Grandparents’ Day next weekend by offering nans & grandads free entry!
A grandparent can enjoy complimentary entry to DZC on Sat Oct 4 or Sun 5 with every full-paying child or adult ticket pre-booked online.
onlineshop.dudleyzoo.org.uk/Dudl.../sess....

Thank you to everyone who continues to raise donations for us through easyfundraising.
If you haven’t yet signed up, did you know you can raise funds for us when you shop online with your favourite brands.
Find out more: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/dudle...

It's World Cassowary Day!
If you have a dino-loving little one, do they know about Zeus, our Southern cassowary? He's one of the closest living relatives to avian dinosaurs!
Take advantage of our kids go free offer (which is valid every day until Nov 28) & come and bring them to see him this wknd!

Keepers have named Fanny the chimpanzee as our latest animal of the month!
Nominating troop leader, keepers said she had overseen a change in group dynamics really well since Barbie’s passing and has been observed providing lots of support to the other girls.

There’s less than a week left of our Universal Credit entry offer, so don’t miss out if you’re eligible!
Until Sept 30 visitors in receipt of income-based benefits, can visit the zoo from just £7.
Tickets must be pre-booked online. Full T&Cs are here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/universal-cr...

It may have been her birthday yesterday – but that’s not an excuse for this cheeky behaviour today!!
Here’s Kira marking #TongueoutTuesday
Giraffes have one of the longest tongues for a land mammal - but it’s the giant anteater which takes the title!

Kira is 6 today! 🎂 🌿

Join us in wishing her a very Happy Birthday!

Otter toe beans! 🥰

Did you know...
Asiatic short-clawed otters, as their name suggests, have short claws!
They're incredibly dexterous and will use their partially-webbed and sensitive paws to find, catch and hold their prey.

Have a pawsome Sunday!

We’re celebrating International Red Panda Day with Carko and Ember!

Don’t forget our ongoing kids go free offer if you fancy a trip to DZC this weekend!
Running everyday until Nov 28, you can bring up to two children for free with every full-paying adult admission ticket purchased in advance from our website.
Book here: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/kids-go-free/

Look at our very special penguin, Flop – she’s definitely earned her brand new stripe!

Our one-year-old penguin, who lost and rediscovered her waddle, has now undergone her first moult & is now sporting her adult plumage, including the recognisable black chest stripe.

Look at the unintentional tomato plant growing in Benji’s outdoor area – and it’s got quite a crop!

Keepers believe tomato seeds, which the 47 year-old has eaten and dispersed through his poo has caused the rogue plant to sprout!

Our Bornean orangutans will enjoy them when they've ripened!