Police donate heat lamps to zoo

The zoo said it had a close relationship with police

Police have donated 15 heat lamps seized in a drugs raid to a zoo.

The lamps, which were seized from a cannabis farm this year, have gone to Dudley Zoo, West Midlands Police said.

Usually everything seized in a raid is destroyed, but the lamps were donated after "health and safety complications" over disposal, police said.

The zoo, which celebrated its 70th birthday in 2007, said it "jumped at the chance" as every animal section used heat lamps.

Warming animals

Officers from Halesowen police station took the heat lamps to the zoo.

The zoo's chief executive, Peter Suddock, said: "Every animal section on site uses heat lamps, and the bulbs are quite expensive to replace, so we were very happy to have them.

"We use heat lamps on cold winter days and for breeding purposes for penguin chicks and reptiles and in general around the zoo to keep places warm for animals that we keep.

"We have close relationships with the police and customs, who have provided us with samples of endangered species, such as crocodile skins, from people who have naively brought them into this country."

Pc Nick Slym, from Halesowen police, said members of the forensics department suggested contacting the zoo about the heat lamps after disposing of them became complicated.

He added: "We are happy to have been of assistance and very pleased they are being put to good use."