MUSIC lovers will have the chance to enjoy an “ape-solutely amazing” fun and fundraising event at Chester Zoo this month courtesy of a Wirral-based band.

Local band Junebug, whose drummer is from Wallasey, will be at the UK’s number one zoo to perform live renditions of their latest double “Ape-side” charity release. 

The three-strong band is hoping for a bumper half-term turnout to join them and sing along in celebration of October‘s Go Orange for Orangutans campaign.

Two of Junebug’s latest self-penned tracks have been specially written to support Chester Zoo’s £15,000 Go Orange for Orangutans 2014 appeal, which runs throughout this month.

Each tune’s catchy original lyrics are all about apes. 

Both tracks can be digitally downloaded for a donation of as little as £1 - though people can give more - and all the proceeds will go directly to the Go Orange appeal.

By tuning in to the fun, upbeat tracks, conservation conscious fans will not only be tapping their feet to the innovative Junebug rhythm, but also raising much needed funds to help save threatened orangutans fighting for survival on the other side of the globe in Sabah, Borneo.

The band’s line-up consists of drummer, Warren Gilbert and brothers Ralph and Guy Latham, from North Wales, who regularly get together to rehearse each week.

They hope the tracks - titled The Song of the Apes, and She’s an Ape, Not a Monkey - will also raise awareness about the important wildlife welfare work supported by Go Orange for Orangutans 2014.

Ralph said: “It was a bit of a coincidence really, we were playing around looking for new subjects to write about when we just hit on some ideas on the theme of apes.

“Around the same time we happened to hear about the Go Orange appeal, mainly because I am a member of Chester zoo and receive its regular quarterly magazine.

“We were all touched by the plight of the orangutan population which has lost 80 per cent of its native habitat in Borneo, so we thought why not do our bit to help out?

“The ape theme of our songs tied in perfectly with the appeal.”

The goal of Go Orange for Orangutans 2014 is to raise enough money to replant a key area of woodland in Borneo which will enable orangutans to move more freely around the forest.

It costs £10 to buy the seed, plant out and nurture each sapling so it stands a chance of developing into a mature tree.

Chester Zoo aims to finance the cost of 1,500 trees, costing a total of £15,000.

Development manager, Melanie Cowieson, said: “It is so good of Junebug to support us like this.

“Not only will anyone who downloads either of these tracks be directly helping our Go Orange for Orangutans fundraising appeal but they will get some great music to listen to as well.

"These are addictive, tap you feet tunes which will get any party going with a swing. Junebug now has a whole bunch of new fans here at the zoo and I’m sure there are many other music lovers out there who can’t wait to hear more from them.”

  • The live show takes place at Chester Zoo on October 27.
  • To download Junebug’s charity songs, click here. 
  • Find out more about how you can help Go Orange for Orangutans 2014 here.