Belfast Zoo welcomes baby vicuna miraculously born during Storm Arwen
Meet the fluffy new addition to Belfast Zoo - a baby vicuna was born to mother Áine and father Ozark.
The now three-week-old was born overnight during Storm Arwen. When zookeepers arrived at the site the following morning, they walked in to a very special surprise.
The gender of the baby is currently unknown but Keepers are hopeful that they will be able to confirm this in the coming weeks.
Zoo Curator, Julie Mansell, explains, “We were delighted to find the baby cosied up with the rest of the family safe inside the den. They are really beautiful, gentle creatures that were once at risk of extinction due to hunting for their wool and meat. Áine is an excellent mother and the baby is looking strong and well.”
What is a Vicuna?
Vicuñas are the smallest members of the camel family. Strict protection laws have helped the animals to recover but they are still dependent on conservation measures, such as zoo breeding programs.
Belfast Zoo has successfully bred this species for many years, in their mountain top habitat with stunning views across Belfast Lough.
Christmas came early for some of the animals at the Zoo earlier this month, with colourful gifts delivered to two elderly rescue elephants, the meerkats and the penguins.
Instead of stockings from Santa, the animals received colourful boxes filled with animal enrichment gifts from their favourite zookeepers.
Acting Zoo Manager, Andrew Hope, explains, “Animals often tend to get excited whenever they discover something new in their home. Some animals dig into their gifts straight away such as the meerkats and the elephants, whereas some are a little more reserved and inquisitive, like the penguins.
“You never quite know what way an animal will respond and it can often be quite funny to see them getting excited. Providing the animals with items that they don't regularly receive, such as colourful wrapped boxes, helps to physically and mentally stimulate the animals. This type of enrichment is used to help keep the animals happy and healthy as it encourages natural behaviour and provides stimulation.”
Check it out 👇
Dhunja and Yhetto the zoo's elephants, made short work of their gifts which were boxes stuffed with hay, apples and carrots.
Yhetto can't wait to open up the colourful wrapped presents.
A group of meerkats were seen eagerly rummaging through their boxes which were filled with tasty mealworms.
The zoo's gentoo penguins were also treated to bright red boxes which they were a little wary of at first, but curiosity soon took over.
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