The capybara enclosure is now home to two adorable pups, courtesy of "super mum" Clementine. These twins, named Pumpkin and Swede, are already stealing hearts with their playful antics in their swimming pool. They join siblings Tango, Marmalade, Squash, and Satsuma in making a splash at Drusillas.
But the baby boom doesn't stop there. On July 22nd, triplet dwarf mongoose pups Hamish, Hubert, and Harris made their grand entrance, much to the delight of their older sibling Maverick, the first of their species born at the zoo. Their mum, Goose, has proven to be a nurturing parent, raising a lively brood of eight.
In another part of the zoo, a tiny red-handed tamarin infant named Hendrix clings to mum Isla, while older siblings Bowie and Ozzy show their support. Meanwhile, a curious and confident silvery marmoset named Nova has been welcomed by experienced parents Bonnie and Pearl.
Late April saw the arrival of six prairie dog pups, who can be spotted playfully bobbing in and out of their burrows. Named after characters from a popular children's TV show, Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, Chilli, Trixie, and Stripe are quickly becoming visitor favourites.
The zoo's one-year-old two-toed sloth, Echo, is also capturing hearts as she begins to venture off mum. And Pedro, a mischievous one-year-old colobus monkey, is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Head keeper Gemma Romanis sums up the joyous atmosphere, saying, "It seems like there are babies everywhere at the moment, it’s clear our animals have been… keeping busy." With the zoo playing a vital role in conservation efforts, these successful births are more than just a cause for celebration—they're a beacon of hope for threatened species. And who knows? There may be more pitter-patter of paws and claws in the not-so-distant future.
