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Keepers had to make a snappy decision during the worst of the gale force winds when the roof blew off the Reptile House at Dudley Zoo.

Freak winds on Friday night damaged the structure of the reptile accommodation and exposed a female West African dwarf crocodile, named Janet, to the elements.

Zoo spokesman Jill Hitchman said: “The high winds lifted a panel above the croc’s vivarium, so keepers had an early start the next day to secure the Reptile House roof.

“There was absolutely no risk of Janet escaping as she is within a secure enclosure inside the building, and spot heaters in the vivarium ensured there was no problem with temperatures falling.

“Everyone was surprised to see the section off, but the winds just caught the side of the Reptile House which is on the turn of road leading up to the castle.”

She added: “Janet, who’s 16, wasn’t in the slightest affected by the night’s happenings. All she was interested in was her breakfast on Saturday morning and seemed thoroughly unimpressed by the goings-on.”