Baby boom at wildlife park with new arrivals in lockdown

Staff at the wildlife park welcomed 14 new arrivals during in lockdown.

STV News

2nd Jun 2020

A wildlife park in the Highlands has experienced a baby boom with 14 new arrivals born during lockdown.

Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park, which has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic, welcomed the new arrivals, including two forest reindeer calves, in May.

They have been sharing videos so visitors can watch the baby animals from home.

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.”

“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.”