AN animal crazy couple from Studley turned keepers for the day when they joined staff at Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG).

Amanda Lowe and Nick Brown, from Station Road, worked with Rothschild's giraffes and Madagascan lemurs at the award-winning West Midlands tourist attraction as part of the 40-acre site’s Keeper for a Day experience.

DZG Chief Executive Peter Suddock said: "Amanda and Nick had an amazing time. We introduced Keeper For a Day and Little Zoo Keepers for eight to 13-year-olds as an experience a few years ago and it has proved so successful that staff are kept busy with requests from all over the country.”

Keepers for a Day discover what goes on behind the scenes at DZG, one of the UK’s top zoos.

Throughout the session they help staff with their daily duties including feeding, cleaning and caring for the collection, many of which are endangered species.

As well as catching up with the action in Lemur Wood, there is also the opportunity to find out more about DZG’s Bornean orangutans and Brazilian tapirs.

Other sections covered include Sumatran tigers, Asiatic lions, red pandas, and reptiles.

Mr Suddock added: “It’s a unique opportunity to get close to some of the rarest animals on the planet and work alongside our keepers with a wide range of exotic and endangered species most folk see only on their TV screens, and funds raised through the scheme support exciting conservation and animal projects at DZG."

For details visit dudleyzoo.org.uk or contact marketing assistant Andrea Hales on 01384 215313.