£90,000 farmyard revamp begins at Dudley Zoo

The work on the popular attraction will allow visitors to get even closer to the animals.

Contractors are demolishing the current barn, which will be replaced with one double its size, hoping to get the new-look facility open in time for June.

The work is a key part of major developments at the popular attraction, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary year.

Matt Lewis, zoo manager, said: "The extension will allow us to extend our contact opportunities as there'll be lots more small and furry animals in there for our younger visitors to meet as well as the popular farm animals.

"We're also hoping to include fish, invertebrates and amphibians and we'll be reintroducing leaf cutter ants too, a species we haven't had here at DZG for over 20 years."

The bigger barn will also allow the zoo to expand its education sessions, with the space for a teaching area and bosses will be adding a conservation corner which aims to highlight all animal projects and awareness

weeks.

While work is carried out, the outdoor contact paddock will remain open as normal for visitors to meet the zoo's goats and rabbits between noon and 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 4.30pm daily, while the barn's residents have been temporarily taken off show.

A refurbishment of the outdoor area will take place later this year.

Meanwhile the zoo is gearing up for its 80th anniversary celebrations in May, which will include a sponsored onesie walk to raise money for a new separate outdoor space for its great apes.

The 5km walk around the zoo's 40-acre site takes place on May 6 and hopes to raise £800,000 to provide a new home for its four great apes.