'King of the zoo' with most adoptions announced at Dudley Zoo
The king of the zoo has been announced as one of Africa's most-loved mammals.
Kubwa the giraffe received the most adoptions of all the animals at Dudley Zoo in the last year.
The 18-year-old male giraffe, who stands at 18ft-tall, received 64 year-long adoptions from giraffe lovers.
Coming in second place was popular penguin Dippy, with 49 people picking him out of the zoo's colony of 74 Humboldt penguins while Bornean orangutan Benji took the bronze medal with 24 adoptions.
A popular choice among visitors looking to adopt an animal is Inca, the Asiatic black bear, who has a corporate sponsorship.
Staff at the Build-a-Bear workshop at Brierley Hill's Merry Hill Centre adopt the 38-year-old female, who is thought to be the oldest bear of her kind in the world.
She is also the face of Birmingham-based football club Shire Oak Bears, who have Inca as their mascot.
DZG marketing manager Andrea Hales said: “Last year was a fantastic year for adoptions, with many firm favourites being chosen as well as some of our new arrivals.
“While Kubwa, Dippy and his penguin pals were some of the most adopted creatures in the zoo, newcomers binturongs Ellie and Elliot, naked mole rat Fupi and our latest Patagonian mara Lulu were some of the animals getting a share of the attention.
“We’re so grateful to people who help us through taking out adoptions, as purchases actively support our vital conservation programmes and pay for special treats, toys, bedding, health checks, food bills and heating for the animals.”
