The magical arrivals: Our zoos may be closed, but nature lovers can feast their eyes on this menagerie of adorable animals who have been born during the coronavirus crisis

• Chicks Boris and Rishi arrived days apart at the National Centre for Birds of Prey 
• George, a small species of antelope, arrived at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire
• Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed the arrival of a set of baby porcupine twins
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Life as we know it might be on hold — but the one thing not even lockdown can bring to a halt is the cycle of life. 

The awe-inspiring wonder of a new generation of creatures great and small taking their first tentative steps. 

But just because zoos and animal parks are closed, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on these natural wonders. BETH HALE introduces some of the newest arrivals. 

BLOND AND SCRUFFY JUST LIKE BOJO

Steller’s sea eagle chicks Boris and Rishi arrived days apart this month at the National Centre for Birds of Prey, in Helmsley, near York.

They were named after Prime Minister Johnson and Chancellor Sunak after the centre was ‘saved’ by the Government’s furlough job retention scheme.

Steller’s sea eagle chicks Boris and Rishi arrived days apart this month at the National Centre for Birds of Prey, in Helmsley, near York

Tiny now, the species is the biggest eagle in the world, weighing more than 7 kg (15 lb) and with a wing span of 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) when fully grown, and listed as vulnerable. 

MY, WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE

Meet baby George — a Kirk’s dik-dik, a small species of antelope that arrived at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire, over the Easter weekend.

Named after a local hospital — the George Eliot — the tiny creature with long limbs and extraordinarily big eyes is the third baby for mother Pogo Jr, who was born at the zoo in 2018, and father Charlie, who has been a resident since 2017.

Meet baby George — a Kirk’s dik-dik, a small species of antelope that arrived at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire, over the Easter weekend

IT’S STAR PAWS!

With its tufted ears and pretty markings, this is no ordinary kitty; it is a caracal, an African wild cat.

And the cuteness is doubled up because it has a twin. The pawsome duo (sex as yet unknown) were a welcome arrival at Exmoor Zoo, Devon, this month, where they have been spending most of their days sleeping close to parents Yoda and Yoda’s Wife.

With its tufted ears and pretty markings, this is no ordinary kitty; it is a caracal, an African wild cat

PRICKLY CUSTOMERS 

What do you call a baby porcupine? A porcupette, of course, and Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed the arrival of two of them, twins to mum Hannah. 

The perfectly formed pair, born with a full set of quills, arrived last month and were discovered running and squeaking at each other by keepers. 

The flexible quills harden in the air to become prickly. 

What do you call a baby porcupine? A porcupette, of course, and Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed the arrival of two of them, twins to mum Hannah

THIS AIN’T CALF CUTE

Baby elephant Nguvu was born at Howletts Wild Animal Park, Kent, just before lockdown, so he is getting used to not having any visitors.

Not that he will be lonely. There have been 26 calves born here to date — and they all come with an extra dose of cuteness.

He spends his days playing with his mum, Etana, watched in the distance by his father, Coco, the Howletts herds’ resident bull elephant. 

Baby elephant Nguvu was born at Howletts Wild Animal Park, Kent, just before lockdown, so he is getting used to not having any visitors

MARRIED TO THE MOB

They are the newest members of the ‘mob’, the name given to a group of meerkats — and aren’t they adorable? 

These triplet meerkittens were a surprise arrival at Drusillas Park in East Sussex. 

These triplet meerkittens (pictured) were a surprise arrival at Drusillas Park in East Sussex

They are the newest members of the ‘mob’, the name given to a group of meerkats

Because meerkats like to burrow, keepers only discovered them when they popped their furry heads outside this month. 

A group of meerkats has just one breeding pair, and all members of the group look after the young.

THE RIGHT STRIPES

When zebra Polly gave birth to a foal at the start of lockdown, keepers at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol, knew just what to call her in these troubled times: Hope. 

Newborns have brown-and-white stripes. The brown will turn to black as the zebra gets older.

When zebra Polly gave birth to a foal at the start of lockdown, keepers at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol, knew just what to call her in these troubled times: Hope

GIVE US ’MUR

Keepers at Chester Zoo have dubbed the twin baby ring-tailed lemurs ‘tennis balls with tails’. 

Born on March 2, to mum Fiona after a 135-day pregnancy, the duo have been clinging to her ever since. 

At just 15 cm (6 in) tall, they weigh a few hundred grams (10 oz).

Born on March 2, to mum Fiona after a 135-day pregnancy, this duo have been clinging to her ever since

BABY-BOON

This little fella, Mickey, has nothing to fear because his mum, Uma, is the dominant female of the baboon troupe at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. 

Guinea baboons are born with black fur and will stay this colour for a few months until their fur gradually goes brown. 

Mickey will keep clinging on to Mum in the meantime.

This little fella, Mickey, has nothing to fear because his mum, Uma, is the dominant female of the baboon troupe at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

COME ON . . . JUST KEEP PUP 

These cuddly pups are dingoes. 

The six of them, three boys and three girls, were born earlier this month to mum Daisy and dad Yogi, at Hamerton Zoo Park, Cambridgeshire. 

Their birth comes less than a year after their parents arrived in the UK from Australia, becoming the first in this country for 20 years.

These cuddly pups are dingoes. The six of them, three boys and three girls, were born earlier this month to mum Daisy and dad Yogi, at Hamerton Zoo Park, Cambridgeshire

ONE HUMP OR TWO?

Bactrian camel Khoomii’s arrival at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol, was a little complicated.

After his mum Hettie had a difficult labour, keepers realised he could only stand on his ankles, rather than his toes, because the cartilage was underdeveloped.

Bactrian camel Khoomii’s arrival at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol, was a little complicated

He spent three days in a separate pen, next to Mum, to help him adjust. And he was 13 days old before he could drink her milk.

Bactrian camels have two humps, rather than one. Khoomii’s feet are improving but it will be a while before he is strong enough to meet dad Icarus and Auntie Martha. 

Source: Read Full Article