Baby Boom at Welsh Mountain Zoo

There has been a wonderful Spring time baby boom at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, with the pitter patter of tiny feet and claws, to be heard across several enclosures!

A total of seven babies have been born in recent weeks, including three Humboldt penguin chicks, two white-tailed sea eagles, one pine marten and one red squirrel.

The adorable penguin chicks are from two nests, with Poncho and Frankie having two chicks, and Pudding and Yoshi also having one chick. Having hatched in early April, all chicks are developing as Keepers would hope and expect, cautiously finding their way around their new environment. The Zoo enjoys a long and rich history in breeding Humboldt penguins spanning some three decades, partnering with Zoo’s across the UK and internationally to safeguard their future.

The two White-tailed sea eagle chicks also hatched in April, to parents Hallie and Albi, their arrival marking a first for the Zoo, whilst boosting their numbers in human care.

The red squirrel kit and pine marten kit also made their debut during April, marking a wonderful month of celebrations at the Zoo.

Hannah Slaney, Head of Animals at the Welsh Mountain Zoo commented: “It really has been a joyous time here in recent weeks as we welcomed all of our new baby’s! It’s wonderful to see each of them developing and growing just as they should, gaining strength and confidence each day.

“Breeding programmes, all of which these species are a part of, are fundamentally why the Zoo exists. Conservation, and ensuring the continued preservation of threatened or at-risk species, sits at the core of Welsh Mountain Zoo’s values, and to see so many successful births really is heart-warming for us all.”