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Kind youngster buys Christmas presents for Dudley Zoo animals

A kind four-year-old has picked, wrapped and delivered Christmas presents to her favourite animals at Dudley Zoo.

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Harriet Beech, four, has donated presents to her favourite animals at Dudley Zoo

Thoughtful Harriet Beech, who lives in Walsall, brought the gifts for youngest Bornean orangutan Sprout and Carpathian lynx Dave.

Young Harriet has been visiting Dudley Zoo since she was three-months-old with her parents Nichola Pemberton and Nicholas Beech and wanted to treat her favourite animals during the festive season. She selected the gifts from the zoo's Amazon wishlist – which gives supporters of all ages the chance to help zookeepers enrich the lives of the animals all year round.

Mother Nichola said: "Harriet absolutely loves Sprout and Dave and calls them her friends.

"She chose some decking rope so keepers can make a scratching post for Dave and a hessian sack for Sprout to play with and insisted on having the items delivered to home so she could wrap them herself and deliver them in person.

“She is obsessed with animals and we have always encouraged her, as we feel it is such a kind thing to do.”

Zoo curator, Richard Brown, added: "This was so lovely of Harriet and we really appreciate her thoughtfulness.

"We will make sure Sprout and Dave get their gifts in time for the big day and both will get hours of enrichment and enjoyment from the presents.”

The Amazon wishlist includes a variety of fun and practical items including hanging baskets, hot water bottles, artificial plants, tools and creature carriers. Items can be delivered directly to the zoo.

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