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Eccentric Gorilla found at Twycross

Dudley Zoo, West Midland Safari Park, Twycross Zoo and Blackbrook Zoo are the new homes of four very special animals.

They are the proud keepers of Staffordshire University’s Eccentric Animals – 3D sculptures produced from only natural materials by Foundation Art and Foundation Design students.

Dudley has the lion, West Midland Safari Park has the tarantula, Twycross has the gorilla and Blackbrook has the vulture, with all of the animals on display to visitors of the zoos.

“We were delighted to be offered the lion and would like to say a big thanks to the students at Staffordshire University who made him,” said Peter Suddock, CEO of Dudley Zoo. “We have installed it in our farm activity barns where he is admired daily by young visitors.”

Unsurprisingly, the sculptures are proving popular with the public – something which pleases the students who made them just two weeks into their courses at Staffordshire.

“It is exciting for us that our Eccentric Animal has been relocated to West Midland Safari Park, due to the fact she is now in an environment that suits her design and she can be seen by many more people,” beamed Lily and Jessica, who named their tarantula Gertrude.

Laura and Charlene are also really happy: “As a group we feel very proud that our lion is being exhibited in a new habitat as it was something that we worked hard on and it is good to get the public's perception on our sculpture.”

Reflecting on the “great success” of Eccentric Animals, Award Leader Tim Forrester revealed plans to run the project again for students on next year’s Foundation Art and Foundation Design courses.

“Eccentric Animals really demonstrated the ethos of the new programme and enabled students to think in different ways, especially with a learn-by-doing approach within the constraints of using only simple materials such as sticks and string,” explained Tim.

“The sheer scale of the project, both the physical scale and the logistics, shows the students’ commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for the subject – let alone a fantastic outcome.”