A Double Book Launch at Dudley Zoological Gardens

By Jill Hitchman

Dudley, UK - A double book celebrating the animals and buildings at Dudley Zoological Gardens, in the West Midlands, will be launched on Friday, November 20.

The two-in-one work outlines conservation and research at the Castle Hill site alongside the history of the world's largest collection of Tecton buildings.

Conservation and Research at DZG: Making Time for the World¹s Rarest Animals was penned by Registrar and Research Co-ordinator Dr David Beeston of Birmingham, DZG writer Jill Hitchman, of Shropshire and Native Species Co-ordinator Ian Hughes, of Lanarth, Wales.

Towers and Tectons: A View from the Hill was written by Jill Hitchman, who also designed and edited the 160-page coffee table book.

Illustrations are by award-winning photographers Paul Bishop, of Lower Gornal, and Phil Riley, of Stourbridge.

DZG Chairman, Cllr Davd Sparks, OBE said: ³This book is absolutely fantastic.

³The unique combination of zoology, geology, archaeology, botany, history and architecture is all there.

³This treasure trove is brought to life in an easy-to-read format.

³Dudley Zoo and Castle is clearly positioned as a major resource for conservation.

³The book will be a firm foundation on which to develop this role into the 21st century.²

CEO Peter Suddock, said: ³The books showcase two very different aspects of DZG.

³Conservation and Research is brilliantly written and offers an insight into the contribution DZG makes within these fields.

³The combination of clear and entertaining writing, coupled with stunning photographs showing the major aspect of the work we do at DZG will captivate any reader.

³Towers and Tectons is an outstanding contribution by the writer and editor, Jill Hitchman, who has captured the importance of this site in the history of England.

³It shows the innovative way in which the Modernist movement used important iconic structures to display some of the world¹s rarest animals; a tradition DZG very much upholds today.²

Dr Beeston said: ³The book tells the story of important and influential work carried out at DZG which goes unseen by most visitors.

³This beautifully illustrated book will be of interest to all zoo visitors.²

Jill Hitchman said: ³I thoroughly enjoyed working on the book and hope it offers readers a fascinating insight into behind the scenes work and the incredible buildings at one of the country¹s favourite zoos.

³The timing of the book was immaculate ­ we took delivery the very day the Tecton collection was recognised by the World Monuments Fund as of international importance ­ and will help champion our cause on the world stage.²

Ian Hughes said: ³This book highlights the important support DZG has been giving to conservation, including Native Species, over a considerable period of time.

Mud snails, Barberry Carpet Moths and Lady Bird Spiders may not sound as glamorous as snow leopards, but they are just as important.²

* Priced at £15, copies of the book are available from the Zoo¹s Safari Shop, online at www.dudleyzoo.org.uk or by calling 01384 215313. It is also on sale at Waterstone¹s and Borders bookstores.

The book will be launched at a private reception at the Queen Mary Restaurant, one of the site's 12 iconic Tecton structures, on Friday, November 20. VIPS attending the event will include historian and media celebrity Prof Carl Chinn, who will be introducing Tectons and Towers and international conservation expert, Joe Gipps, who will introduce Conservation and Research at DZG.

Proceeds from the book will go towards DZG's Madagascar Campaign to help lemurs in the wild.

To view Dudley Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2354-Dudley_Zoological_Gardens,_West_Midlands,_England