Surprise baby delights wildlife park

A FEMALE alpaca has surprised staff at the Black Isle Wildlife Park in the Highlands by giving birth - after years without producing any young.

Ewan Maxwell, whose family have operated the centre at North Kessock for several years, said: "It was a real shock.

"She's been with us for ten years and has never been pregnant before. Then, all of a sudden, this wee one was born. We are really happy about it." The young alpaca - known as a cria and pictured with its mother above - is the latest addition to the park's small herd of two females and one male. The animals originate in South America.