Dudley Zoo welcomes 250,000 visitors through gates
Around 250,000 people have poured through the doors at Dudley Zoo this year – making 2013 one the the attraction's most successful years to date.
Chief executive Peter Suddock has credited the zoo's continued efforts to develop the site and invest in facilities for the swell in visitor numbers.
And it's set to be a busy time for the venue in 2014 with several new exhibits opening, as well as other improvements.
Mr Suddock said: "The investment and changes have enhanced our visitor experience and alongside celebrating the successes of the past 12 months we have some very interesting plans rolling out across the site.
"We have grown visitor numbers by an amazing 100,000 in just eight years, which is an incredible achievement in today's economic climate, and this year we reached the quarter of a million mark – that's 250,000 visitors through the gates."
Figures released earlier in the year, showed the zoo welcomed 120,000 people through the gates between January and the end of July this year, compared with 103,000 during the same period last year. Recent boosts to the animal collection and the creation of bespoke enclosures for some of the world's rarest species, including Gelada Baboons on the Bank, are proving popular.
Mr Suddock said: "Primate numbers are up, as are bird species, and we're very proud of new Sumatran male tiger, Joao, a mate for our beautiful female, Daseep. She is one of the most important big cats in the world and it is vital her bloodline continues."
Work on the iconic wave entrance and Safari shop is expected to be completed by Easter when the restoration of the bear ravine and kiosk will begin.
The £1.15m project, which also included repairing and reopening the chairlift last year, is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Further work will see the zoo invest £600,000 on a retail complex, Tecton interpretation centre and the upgrading of the toilets and food outlets.
