Meet the new kids on the block at Longleat!

Wiltshire safari park reopens today with new additions

Author: Sophie CridlandPublished 12th Apr 2021

Spring has sprung as one of Longleat's resident goats give birth to a twin.

Mum Pixie and dad Prince welcomed, twin girls Piglet and Pewee, at the end of March.

The African Pygmy goats are joining other members of the farm there like donkeys, an emu, wallabies, chickens, rabbits and turkeys.

Despite being small the goats are extremely agile climbers and love to jump onto tree trunks and rocks.

Keeper Jack Crossman explained to Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury the reason behind their names.

"Piglet is named because she is quite greedy and likes to hog mum for attention. She also has a white splodge on her forehead.

"Peewee was smaller at birth and needed some help to get her feeding from mum. They love the sunshine and are happily bouncing around the enclosure, chasing the chickens, learning to climb and to headbutt!

"Both kids are already proving quite a handful and keep getting out of the farmyard area and running around the main field,"

African Pygmy goats are small in size and only reach a maximum of 50cms when fully grown.

Peewee and Piglet weighed around 1.5 kg at birth but both are feeding well from mum Pixie and growing fast.

VISTIOR NUMBERS LIMITED

Longleat reopens today but visitor numbers are being restricted and the park recommends booking online even if you have an annual pass.

A number of measures are in place like a one way walking system and hand sanistiser stations.

Only debit/ credit cards or smart phone payments are being accepted in shops or catering points there.

Face masks will need to be worn on indoor areas like Koala Creek.

You can read more about the measures in place on Longleat's website.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.