Revamped penguin pool officially opened

The new Penguin Bay attraction has been officially launched at Dudley Zoo as part of the site's 75th anniversary celebrations.

The zoo has invested £40,000 to update the penguins' pool area – home to a colony of birds of the rare Humboldt variety.

It was officially opened on Saturday by guest Muriel Thatcher, who was at the opening day of the tourist attraction 75 years ago.

Miss Thatcher, now aged 85, has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the zoo and its 11th century Dudley Castle. She has "adopted" – or sponsored – at least 21 animals over the years and makes regular visits to the site, in Castle Hill from her home in Wednesfield.

Miss Thatcher said: "I came to the opening in 1937, my mother brought me and my little sister.

"When we got into the entrance there was the biggest cage you ever saw in your life, full of monkeys, it was absolutely gigantic.

"We read a lot at home about animals, but we had never actually seen them in the flesh and when we saw those cages of monkeys we thought we were in Africa almost, it was the most wonderful thing we had ever seen."

Miss Thatcher, who has adopted animals including including lions, tigers, an orang utan and snow leopards, added the popularity of the site comes down to its staff.

She added: "I think the people here are so nice and they are friendly and will talk to you. Not only do they look after the animals, they will answer your questions."

Penguin Bay will double the land area available to the 70-plus penguins – one of Europe's largest colonies of Humboldts – and allow visitors to get closer to the highly endangered birds.

Dudley Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock added: "It is fantastic to be here for 75 years and still going strong."