KEEPERS have been busy delivering Christmas gifts and cards sent to the new arrivals at Dudley Zoo.

The zoo has had a bumper year for births and people from across the globe have expressed an interest in the babies.

Head of media and communications, Jill Hitchman, said: “We’ve had cards and gifts from well-wishers and adopters in Europe, Australia, USA and New Zealand, which have kept staff busy delivering them to the various sections."

Babies born in 2014 include Kito, a male Rothschild's giraffe, a male snow leopard called Makalu, Carpathian lynx triplets, Dick, Dom and Daphne, plus a male yellow-breasted capuchin Ted, male black howler monkey Shelby and pygmy marmoset twins Duncan and Edward.

The zoo also welcomed a male Gelada baboon called Billie, two red-crested turaco chicks and roul roul partridge babes.

Jill added: "We've had an incredibly busy season and the births are living proof of the continued success of our international conservation programmes with some of the rarest species in the world.

"We are deeply touched that people remember our animals at Christmas and would like to send heartfelt thanks for their support and festive wishes, it's much appreciated by us all."