Meerkat pups, a Brazilian tapir, a capybara and cotton top tamarin twins have all been born at Marwell Wildlife this autumn.

The five week old meerkat pups are delighting visitors with their playful behaviour in their new home, which opened in July. Meerkat adults are teaching them the ropes and taking it in turns to babysit the lively youngsters.

Our most recent arrival, a baby Brazilian tapir, is proving to be a real hit with his striking colours.

The little tapir was born with a very pretty coat of pale spots and stripes on a reddish brown background. When he is around a year old he will lose his markings and develop a beautiful light brown colour, just like his mum Summer and sister Quito.

Lil' Ron Named after his late father...

The new addition has been named ‘Lil' Ron’ in memory of his Dad, Ronaldo, who sadly died at the park last month. Ronaldo suffered an acute illness which resulted in his death.

David White section manager said: “Staff miss Ronaldo greatly and he was a popular character amongst visitors to the park- so we thought it would be nice to carry on his memory by calling the baby Little Ron. Mum, Summer, is coping well and has had some assistance from Quito, her previous offspring. She is very attentive and protective of him, always keeping a look out and calling him when he is out of view, although this all changes when food is about! Quito was very interested in the birth and almost acted like a birthing companion for her mum. She has been helping to keep him occupied and is keeping a watchful eye over him.”

 

 

Did you know?

Brazilian tapirs live in the Amazon rainforest and spend much of their time foraging near water, which they also use as an escape route from predators such as jaguars.

They are able to stay submerged for hours using their long noses to breathe through, just like a snorkel. Tapirs are often confused with hippos and anteaters however, their closest living relatives are hoofed animals likes horses and rhinos.

Brazilian tapirs are currently listed as vulnerable in the wild due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and competition with livestock.

 

(c) Layzee66

(c) Nia Colclough

Some of our earlier 2011 new arrivals