April 2009
Baby Boom at Safari Park
 |
Longleat baby animals enjoying the warm weather |
 |
|
With Longleat reporting fabulous visitor numbers for the Easter weekend, even the animals are getting in on the action!
Keepers at the Safari Park are delighted to announce the birth of various babies in the last few days and weeks including the birth of a rare Scimitar Horned Oryx.
Longleat was fortunate to be chosen as a site for holding a female herd of Scimitar Horned Oryx a few years ago and, with the introduction of a male into the group last year, are absolutely delighted to announce this birth.
As Andy Hayton, Head of Section explained, “The birth of this little chap is an absolute delight to all concerned. We had strong hopes that we may have a calf this year as we had observed the male and female going through the courtship ritual. To see this young healthy calf out in the park with the rest of the herd though is a real pleasure”.
The Safari Park is also celebrating the birth of another rarity, a Bactrian camel. At only five days old, this young male should be out
|
The baby Scimitar Horned Oryx in the park with mum |
|
|
and about with mum in the Big Game Reserve in the next few days and subject to the weather.
As Deputy Head Keeper, Ian Turner, explained “Bactrians are classified as critically endangered with some estimates putting their numbers at less than one thousand in the wild.
“It is essential that we take the utmost care with all our babies. Warm weather is vital to their wellbeing and we are just hoping that the fine weather of the weekend continues into this weekend and beyond.”
The Safari Park is not the only one celebrating baby births however as the meerkats down at the Safari Boats have also been increasing their population.
The “teenagers” of the group are now around three months old and have been amusing visitors over the last few weeks with their energetic frolics.
“These guys are the bouncy ones of the group,” joked Head of Section, Darren Beasley. “Life is more serious for the older members as one will always stand sentry to protect the group from predators. For these youngsters however, it is all about learning through play and boy, are they having fun learning!”
|
 |
BBC
Animal Park
