The Bedford Estates, LondonIt’s Baby Boom Season at Woburn Safari Park! Keepers are celebrating a flurry of delightful new arrivals across the Road Safari and Foot Safari, from fuzzy alpaca cria to fluffy penguin chicks and playful otter pups.
Four Otter Pups Join the Family!
Over at Otter Falls, Asian short-clawed otters Beatrix and Kovu are proud parents once again, as they welcome four otter pups. Born on 30th May, the new arrivals have already captured the attention of their playful older brothers, born in October 2024 - often seen trying to interact and join in the fun. Their eldest sibling, Thiên thần, has taken on a nurturing role and frequently helps mum and dad with the little ones.
Keepers completed the important first health check and microchipping process this week and are happy to confirm a clean bill of health for the new brood. The litter represents another wonderful success story for the Park, especially as Asian short-clawed otters are classed as vulnerable in the wild, due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
Cria Cuteness
Over at Alpaca Outpost, keepers welcomed the arrival of three baby alpacas, known as cria, who joined the herd this June. The first male cria was born on the 5th to proud mum Liddia, followed by two more females on the 13th to mums Smithy and Teak. Each new arrival was born to Dad Pirro, who is the current alpha male of the herd.
These curious youngsters are already charming visitors over at the Alpaca Outpost. While they’re still too little to join in the guest feeding experience, they are regularly spotted close to their attentive mums. Two babies are a beautiful fawn shade, with one boasting a richer, dark brown coat - a lovely reminder of the incredible variety in alpaca colours.
Chick-tastic News!
There’s been a flutter of excited wings at Humboldt Harbour with the arrival of five penguin chicks! And keepers have had the best time choosing names for the new arrivals. Experienced parents Leaf and Salsa have added two more chicks – Jive and Mambo. Whilst first-time parents Wobble and Spud welcomed two chicks – Maris and Piper, and new parents Koopa and Wasabi have welcomed one chick, Bowser. Jive and Mambo have already been noted as having the most confident personalities, as they take the lead from their calm, experienced parents.
Keepers monitor the colony of penguins with daily health checks and set up regular enrichment activities like bubble machines and float devices, which help keep the whole colony mentally and physically stimulated. Visitors might spot the chicks and their ‘Happy Feet’ at Humboldt Harbour this summer.
Other precious summer arrivals include Ziggy, a critically endangered Eastern mountain bongo antelope born in May, and Zeke, a Bactrian camel calf, born in April. Each new birth represents an important milestone in the Park’s ongoing conservation work, helping to protect vulnerable species.
Be sure to visit soon and catch a glimpse of these little ones before they grow up!