Dudley Zoo's £800,000 orangutan fundraising appeal hits halfway point
AN ambitious fundraising appeal to raise £800,000 for a new orangutan enclosure at Dudley Zoo has reached the half way point.
But keepers are still asking for help to reach the overall target.
Less than two years after launching the appeal to build a separate outdoor environment for four critically endangered Bornean orangs, the zoo has hit the midway milestone reaching £412,041.
Zoo Director Derek Grove said: "This is great news as we’re right on track with our fundraising efforts for work to begin in winter 2020 and by next year the zoo will also be in a position to put in the rest of the money.”
As well as individual visitor donations, Dudley Zoo has been busy raising funds by allocating all income from purchases of zoo keeper days and animal encounters to the appeal, as well as selling exclusive merchandise in the safari shop.
Visitors can also snap up a colourful appeal wristband or pin badge to show their support to the cause.
The outdoor extension, which will be shared with the lar gibbons, is expected to take up to six months to build and will see the wild dogs relocated on site and their paddock incorporated into the design.
The enclosure, which will be encompassed by a woven net, will also include telegraph poles, hammocks and ropes to encourage the arboreal primates to climb high.
Anyone wishing to donate towards the project can contact andrea.marketing@dudleyzoo.org.uk for more details, or donate via Justgiving by texting DZ0037 then the amount to 70070.
