The zoo's black lemur family is settling into a newly-built home offering visitors a superb view of the critically endangered creatures.

Mum Barbara, Dad Bryan, one-year-old Kim and baby Jim, who was born in April, have been moved from Lemur Wood walkthrough to their new £25,000 enclosure opposite the chimps. It comes complete with hammocks made from old coffee sacks, basket feeders, branches which can be hooked into different positions and wonderful glass viewing areas.

The fabulous new build was designed by Curator, Richard Brown, who plays a key role in the conservation battle of this vulnerable species. 

Dudley Zoo is the studbook holder for the European Endangered Species Programme, with Richard being responsible for recommending exchanges or breeding across more than 50 animal collections.

Contractors put up the main frame and keepers and our maintenance team completed the impressive interior with Assistant Curator Jay Haywood adding some artwork to the indoor viewing area. Head of Upper Primates, Pat Stevens, said:

“The move from Lemur Wood went smoothly and the new enclosure gives the family lots of things to do. All four of them soon got the hang of new cat flaps to go between the indoor and outdoor sections and they have been busy exploring every corner of their new home.

"We are delighted with the finished result which has great glass viewing areas so visitors can get a really good look at our lemurs.”

The old enclosure, which was demolished and completely rebuilt, used to house red squirrels - some of which were successfully released into the wild in Denbighshire, North Wales, this March.