Zoo keeper is off after 45 years in job

Zoo keeper Graham Chilton is raising a glass to celebrate his retirement after travelling to the four corners of the globe in his passion for animals.

After 45 years looking after a host of species at Dudley Zoo, the 61-year-old is looking back on his colourful career as he reaches retirement.

From the Falkland Islands to the Arctic Circle, Mr Chilton has been on a mission to help with conservation projects for a range of species.

"It has been brilliant – every minute of it," he said. "To have been able to travel the world has been amazing.

"But apart from the animals the thing I shall miss the most is being able to communicate with the public and share my enthusiasm for the zoo every day."

Mr Chilton has worked with killer whales, elephant seals and penguins during his time at the Castle Hill attraction.

But his passion for primates and reptiles started to grow when he started at the zoo as a 16-year-old.

He was under the tutelage of keeper John Foden who educated him on caring for the animals and helping with breeding programmes.

Aged 21, he joined a trip with two colleagues to the Falkland Islands to bring back around 90 gentoo and rockhopper penguins and around a dozen elephant seals.

Mr Chilton, who now lives in Bridgnorth, plans to still explore his passion for animals during his retirement and hopes to visit more zoos in Australia.