The Castle Hill attraction has revealed the stunning ape artwork being sold in aid of their £800,000 orangutan enclosure appeal.

Just 100 signed limited edition canvases of Bornean orangutans Benji, Jorong, Jazz and Sprout have been produced exclusively from an original drawing donated by award-winning artist David Skidmore.

The 59-year-old artist, a committee member of The Wildlife Arts Society International, completed the piece in graphite pencil before Cradley Heath printers - Dunns Imaging - transformed the work into the beautiful canvases.

David, who works from the studio of his Bromsgrove home, kindly gave the piece to the zoo in support of their conservation work and Dunns printed the canvases at greatly reduced costs to back the appeal, where the current total has just hit the £350,000 mark. David said:

“I’m really pleased with the outcome and now just want the artwork to raise as much money as possible towards building a spacious new home for these creatures I have become fascinated by.

“It’s strange but while working on this piece I feel I’ve developed a real affinity with the orangs. It’s a kind of connection, which makes the artwork title “We are appealing!” all the more appropriate.”

Zoo Director Derek Grove added: “Dudley Zoo is hugely grateful to David who has given his time and talent to draw this amazing montage of our four loveable orangs in aid of our enclosure appeal.

“The generous gesture is a wonderful way to show his appreciation for the work we do at Dudley and conservation projects we support globally.

“We must also thank Dunns Imaging as their support will allow as much money as possible go towards our fundraising. The whole artistic project should be a huge help in providing an impressive new environment for our great apes.”

The limited edition canvas prints are available from the zoo's Safari Shop, or their online store.