The Bedford Estates, LondonThere’s been a very special baby boom at Woburn Safari Park, with three Somali wild ass foals born - one per day - in the space of three days. Making a wonderful trio of long-limbed new arrivals that join the critically endangered herd.
Visitors driving through the Road Safari were stunned and delighted to witness the first birth unfold before their eyes, as first-time mum Amara welcomed her foal into the world in the Road Safari drive-through reserve.
Celebrating conservation success
Keepers have been delighted to see Amara confidently caring for her new arrival and walking the newborn foal around her paddock, in full view of visitors on the day it was born.
The second and third foals were born to experienced mums, Nimeesha and Tawa, and all three foals share the same father, a 10-year-old stallion called Quentin.
Described as a gentle and experienced stallion, Quentin will be kept at a distance by the new mothers as they keep a close watch over their foals, forming a close and protective bond with their offspring.
This rare triple birth is a major conservation success for a species struggling in the wild and classified as critically endangered.
Tom Robson, Head of Reserves, said, "Every birth is important for this critically endangered species, so to welcome three healthy foals in such a short space of time is a fantastic result. It's not often that visitors get the chance to witness such a special moment, so seeing Amara give birth in the reserve and then proudly show off her newborn foal was unforgettable. Watching them develop over the coming weeks is going to be a real highlight for both the team and our visitors."
The birth of even a single Somali Wild Ass foal is significant for the Park’s conservation goals, with only around 200 mature individuals estimated to remain in the wild, according to the IUCN red list (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Woburn Safari Park has cared for Somali wild asses for more than 15 years, with its breeding programme helping to maintain a strong and genetically diverse captive population. The herd also plays an important role as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping visitors learn about the threats that these remarkable animals face, including hunting, habitat loss and competition for resources.
The arrival of three healthy individuals is an incredible achievement and a testament to the team’s dedication and high standards of care for these animals to see succusses of the EEP (Europe Ex-Situ Programme) breeding programme, helping to support the long-term conservation of the species.
Come and spot the tiny trio...
The foals can be seen wobbling about on long legs which have distinctive striped markings, these are visually unique and will help keepers identify them individually. Their coats will also darken slightly with age, with males expected to develop a thicker, darker mane than the females.
In a few short weeks, the youngsters will form into a ‘creche’ as they grow in confidence and start to enjoy socialising with their new herd mates.
The new arrivals are already proving to be full of character - visitors can look forward to spotting the youngsters becoming increasingly adventurous, with curiosity towards the other species on the reserve. There might even be some mischievous attempts to steal browse from the giraffes.
As the three youngsters grow in confidence, there will be plenty of opportunities to watch them run, play and explore as they settle into life at the Safari Park!