Meet the new arrivals in lockdown baby boom at Highland Wildlife Park

The storks have been keeping busy at a Scottish zoo during the coronavirus lockdown.

Seven baby antelopes, three little monkeys and two reindeer calves are among more than a dozen new arrivals at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie while the centre has been closed to the public.

Staff at the centre, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland conservation charity, have welcomed 14 newborns in the past month and have been sharing videos so visitors can enjoy watching the baby animals from home.

And it’s thought there may be more little ones on the way.

This little cutie is one of two forest reindeer calves born at the Highland Wildlife Park in May

Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said, “We are currently closed to the public but our keepers have been kept busy with all the new arrivals and are continuing to give our amazing animals the best of care.

“The youngsters, including seven Turkmenian markhor kids, one Bukhara deer calf, two forest reindeer calves, three Japanese macaque babies and one Przewalski's horse foal, will all be named in the coming weeks and we’ll be sure to keep everyone up to date with how they are all getting on.

“We think there are more babies on the way and are keeping our fingers crossed for bison calves as our herd plays an important role in supporting reintroduction efforts for the species in mainland Europe.”

He also highlighted the need for continuing support while the facility is unable to open.

He added: “Being closed means we have no visitor income and it costs £6,000 a month for our food bill alone, so we are asking the public for their support at this difficult time.

“Anyone who wants to help feed our animals and save species in the wild can find out how on our website.”

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