Thanks their generous visitors, Dudley Zoo have sent £1,200 to help endangered African hunting dogs in the wild.

Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe was the attractions chosen charity for 2015, with staff organising a 'Wild Dog Week' last summer. The event pulled in the pounds with a 900km static cycle ride, face painting and colouring competition.

The event raised more than £600 and along with the proceeds from the 2016 calendar, which raised more than £500, zoo bosses were delighted to send the final amount to the project. Dudley Zoo's South Section Leader, Nicola Wright, who organised the on-site fundraising efforts with Senior Keeper, Jodie Dryden, said:

“We were thrilled to be able to send so much money over to Zimbabwe to help the project in their continuing work to protect the painted dog in the wild and we’re thankful to our visitors who are always keen to support DZ’s in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts.”

The Castle Hill attraction has two hunting dogs; brothers Chicani and Bem are both 13.