The sky's the limit for Dudley Zoo keeper orangutan fundraiser
A zoo keeper was today set to sky dive from 15,000 ft to help improve the lives of four orangutans.
Bosses at the attraction want to raise £800,000 to build a new outdoor enclosure for the family of great apes.
Adam Wrench was expected to plunge from a plane at Tilstock Airfield in Whitchurch at 9am.
The 27-year-old works closely with the animals at the zoo and wanted to help boost the welfare and happiness of Benji, Jorong, Jazz and Sprout.
Work on the their new stomping ground, which will increase the outdoor space, will begin in the next three years.
Mr Wrench said he was determined to raise awareness of what the zoo was planning for the foursome.
He said: “I’ve been more and more nervous over the last few weeks.
“I’m hoping I really enjoy it, once I’m over the edge hopefully that will be it.
“I’ve been at the zoo for the last three years and I’ve worked at several zoo’s all around the country - London, Chester and Blackpool.
“The main goal is to raise awareness of what the zoo is doing and hopefully inspire people to get involved.”
Section leader, Pat Stevens, said:“Orangutans are rapidly disappearing from our planet and could potentially face extinction within 20 years due to habitat loss due to palm oil plantations, illegal poaching and hunting.
“It was great to be able to speak to so many visitors and raise our important conservation message, not only about the plights of the great apes, the work of the Orangutan Foundation charity, but also to talk about our plans for the new enclosure.
He has so far raised £275. To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-wrench2
