Zookeepers go back to nature by baring all for charity calendar

By Nick Rutherford
Last updated at 3:47 PM on 14th December 2008

Cheeky zookeepers have been getting back to nature by baring all for a saucy charity calendar.

The team at Dudley zoo in the West Midlands will be raising a few smiles this Christmas after throwing off their uniforms.

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The team at Dudley Zoo will be raising a few smiles after ditching their uniforms

Streaking keepers braved the chilly weather to pose with tigers, spiders, snakes and reindeer.

The animals had to turn a blind eye as they were placed strategically around the keepers' buff bodies.

Jamie Haywood, 25, who has worked at the zoo for 10 years, posed with Sumatran tiger Raika to become Mr September.

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Roads were blocked off while the photoshoots took place to spare any blushes

He said: 'There has been talk of doing a charity calendar for a few years now, but every time it has come down we couldn't get enough people.

"I think everyone's confidence has grown in time and so we approached management at the zoo to make it happen.

'I look after the tigers and the giraffes and it all started by discussing which animals we wanted to be pictured with.

'We had to block off the road with keepers when we started doing the shoot so no one would stumble across us stark naked.

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Keepers were a bit nervous to begin with but soon got into the spirit

'It was absolutely freezing when we did it, so we just got it over with as quickly as possible.

'We all did it individually, I don't think I would have been keen on everyone standing around looking at me while I got my kit off.

'Everyone was a bit nervous at the start but everyone really enjoyed it.

'I'm definitely up for doing another one next year.

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Keepers bravely bared all despite the winter chill

'All my family have bought one so it's going to be fun when September approaches, we're all going to be having a really good laugh.

Dudley Zoo spokesman, Jill Hitchman, said: 'The keepers bravely bared all, despite the winter chills to raise funds for a very worthy cause.

'Everyone had great fun during the shoot and we are really pleased with the results.'

Chief Executive Peter Suddock added: 'As soon as the keepers approached us we agreed do to it because it's for such a good cause.

'We haven't done this for the keepers or for us, it's really for the animals.

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Money raised by the calendar will go to the zoo's Madagascar campaign

'It was all done very carefully and with great privacy to ensure that all the keepers were happy.

'We are absolutely delighted with the results. It's a fantastic piece of art.'

The money raised from the calendar will go to fund the zoo's Madagascar campaign which aims to help lemurs in the wild where their habitat is threatened due to deforestation.

Lemur  Wood at Dudley Zoo has more than 30 species roaming free.

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