Dudley Zoo's Spotter Otter community art trail now open

Himley Hall, the Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre, the Red House Glass Cone, The Village Hotel, Dudley Library, Dudley Canal Trust and Dudley Archive will be hosting an otter statue, while one will remain at the zoo in Castle Hill.

The zoo’s head of conservation and education, Jack Williams, said: “We launched our art trail during our half-term Carnivore Week celebrations and it proved to be a hit with visitors young and old alike.

“We are excited that more people will now have the opportunity to spot our eight wonderfully decorated otters at venues throughout the borough, helping us raise awareness about the threats both native and non-native otters are facing in the wild.”

Each Asian short-clawed otter sculpture has been designed and decorated by a community art group. People can find out more online by clicking here.

One of the Spotter Otter statues in situ in the community (Image: Dudley Zoo and Castle)

The statues will be in their community locations until mid-May when they will return to the zoo for the summer holidays.

At the end of the season they will be auctioned off in aid of The UK Wild Otter Trust and The Himalayan Otter Network.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Andrea Goddard, who launched the zoo’s Spotter Otter campaign, said: “I hope the trail gets people talking about the issues these wonderful animals face and that the statues raise a huge amount for the otter charities when they are auctioned later this year.

“I’m delighted we are able to host otters in a number of local council venues, including Himley Hall and Park, the Red House Glass Cone and Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre.”