Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
The zoo, is currently in the process of of looking for a new Director, Derek Grove, the current Director is looking to take early retirement in the spring.
Dudley Zoological Gardens Director of Dudley Zoo retiring
- Thread starter Strathmorezoo
- Start date
Look back at 2024 - Dudley Zoo and Castle
Well this is very unexpected and also very sad.
Derek Grove was thrust into the position of Zoo Director in the Spring of 2015 after the hasty departure of the previous director when the zoo was still a rather bleak place. It must've been a daunting task. However, in the 10 years that followed with him in the role the zoo has improved massively, in so many ways. He has also expertly navigated some very tricky periods with honesty, dignity and resolve.
When he retires in 2025, it will mark the end of over 40 years working at Dudley Zoo!
Dudley Zoo has many highly dedicated staff, many of whom have worked at the zoo for decades. My only wish is for one of them to be entrusted the role, rather than an outsider.
The end of an era, a change in Director, but hopefully not a change in direction.
Finally, to Derek. Thank you, you did a really great job.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Couldn't agree more, I've known Dec, since he was a senior keeper of the eles ,apes and primate section. You could tell even then that he was destined for greater things. I also agree that an insider should take his place, (I have two in mind but ,will keep to myself).Dudley ,over the years have recruited within to fill the director/managers post,let's hope that this continues.
ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
Yes, Dudley is one of the few large zoos to have had a director who came up through the ranks.
Is the new one is being appointed from outside?
If so, lets wish them well - and hope they can buck the trend.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
The previous CEO, Peter Suddock,wasn't an animal man, his job was to raise as much money as possible. He had people like Derek to guide him.
EAZA Vacancies
The due date for the vacancy in the EAZA's vacancies' page is due to today apparently.
The due date for the vacancy in the EAZA's vacancies' page is due to today apparently.
Some of the big additions and changes implemented from the start of 2016 (Derek Grove’s first full year as Director) to the end of 2024…
- New hillside enclosure to the left of the chairlift (initially home to Sulawesi macaques).
- Lorikeet/bird walkthrough (formerly a small monkey walkthrough).
- Major revamp of the flamingo enclosure.
- Major revamp of the red panda enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the snow leopard enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the bush dog enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the Parma wallaby enclosure.
- Major extension of the giraffe enclosure.
- Major extension of the orangutan enclosure.
- Reconstruction and major revamp of the snowy owl aviary.
- Reconstruction and extension of many of the aviaries around the zoo (parrot aviaries, Queen Mary aviary, row of aviaries near the otters).
- Large new lynx house (on the site of the Geoffrey’s cat cage).
- Children’s beach and picnic area (replaced the sensory garden).
- New reindeer enclosure (in the basically empty bear ravine).
- New African-spurred tortoise enclosure.
- Major overhaul of the lemur walkthrough (including new housing, viewing areas, and resurfaced path).
- New capuchin enclosure (more than twice the size of the one it replaced).
- New chimpanzee climbing structure (big upgrade on the old one it replaced).
- New black lemur enclosure (replaced the red squirrel cages).
- Extension to the camel paddock and house.
- New primate exhibit (near the main chimp outdoor viewing area, currently houses howler monkeys).
- New farm barn (on the site of the old one, but 3x the size).
- Giant anteaters (new enclosure replaced the old babirusa enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Wolverines (in the right-hand Tecton, which had a major overhaul).
- Arctic fox (in the middle/polar bear Tecton). Successfully bred.
- Binturongs (new enclosure replaced the yellow mongoose enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Linne’s two-toed sloth (new enclosure replaced the porcupine enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Southern cassowary (major upgrade and extension to an old crane/rhea enclosure).
- Start of construction of new African wild dog enclosure (on the site of the reindeer and peccary paddocks).
- Revamp of zoo website.
- New logo.
- New name (Dudley Zoological Gardens became Dudley Zoo and Castle).
- New hillside enclosure to the left of the chairlift (initially home to Sulawesi macaques).
- Lorikeet/bird walkthrough (formerly a small monkey walkthrough).
- Major revamp of the flamingo enclosure.
- Major revamp of the red panda enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the snow leopard enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the bush dog enclosure.
- Major revamp and extension of the Parma wallaby enclosure.
- Major extension of the giraffe enclosure.
- Major extension of the orangutan enclosure.
- Reconstruction and major revamp of the snowy owl aviary.
- Reconstruction and extension of many of the aviaries around the zoo (parrot aviaries, Queen Mary aviary, row of aviaries near the otters).
- Large new lynx house (on the site of the Geoffrey’s cat cage).
- Children’s beach and picnic area (replaced the sensory garden).
- New reindeer enclosure (in the basically empty bear ravine).
- New African-spurred tortoise enclosure.
- Major overhaul of the lemur walkthrough (including new housing, viewing areas, and resurfaced path).
- New capuchin enclosure (more than twice the size of the one it replaced).
- New chimpanzee climbing structure (big upgrade on the old one it replaced).
- New black lemur enclosure (replaced the red squirrel cages).
- Extension to the camel paddock and house.
- New primate exhibit (near the main chimp outdoor viewing area, currently houses howler monkeys).
- New farm barn (on the site of the old one, but 3x the size).
- Giant anteaters (new enclosure replaced the old babirusa enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Wolverines (in the right-hand Tecton, which had a major overhaul).
- Arctic fox (in the middle/polar bear Tecton). Successfully bred.
- Binturongs (new enclosure replaced the yellow mongoose enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Linne’s two-toed sloth (new enclosure replaced the porcupine enclosure). Successfully bred.
- Southern cassowary (major upgrade and extension to an old crane/rhea enclosure).
- Start of construction of new African wild dog enclosure (on the site of the reindeer and peccary paddocks).
- Revamp of zoo website.
- New logo.
- New name (Dudley Zoological Gardens became Dudley Zoo and Castle).
Unfortunately Ive never visited Dudley, though it sounds like he’s going to be a hard act to follow!
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Who ever replaces Derek will have some very big shoes to fill but, will have a great team around them
For completion, the zoo has announced that Matt Lewis, someone who has worked at Dudley Zoo for 36 years and who most recently was working as Zoo Manager, has been appointed the role of new Zoo Director.
Personally I think this is a fantastic choice.
New Zoo Director announced - Dudley Zoo and Castle
Personally I think this is a fantastic choice.
New Zoo Director announced - Dudley Zoo and Castle