Dublin Zoo welcomes latest arrivals

DUBLIN Zoo is
alive with excitement following the arrival of three new additions to its
animal family – a hippopotamus calf and two red panda cubs.

On Monday
September 12 hippo mum Heidi gave birth to a fit and healthy 30kg female hippo
calf – the first to be born at the zoo in ten years.

Zoo team leader,
Helen Clarke-Bennet, said staff were thrilled with the arrival of the
not-so-little calf.

“Mum Heidi is
taking to motherhood very well,

? she said.

“Before she goes
for her daily nap in the pool she lifts the baby out of the water and places
the young calf onto the water bank. Then she props the baby onto her nose to
make sure the youngster doesn’t fall into the pool while she is sleeping.

“It’s a joy to
see Heidi taking good care of her young calf.

?

The arrival of
the unnamed calf follows the birth of two red panda cubs, one male and one
female, at the beginning of August. The siblings have only recently ventured
out of their den.

From the time
they were born their mother, Angelina, kept moving the cubs to different hiding
places around the habitat to keep them protected but they’re now ready to face
the world.

Team leader
Eddie O’Brien said staff were delighted with their progress.

“They are both
doing very well and starting to fend for themselves,

? he said.

“Visitors should
now be able to spot them roaming around in their habitat.

?

The hippo and
the two red panda babies are now regularly out and about in their habitats
allowing visitors to catch a glimpse of the youngest zoo animals.

Dublin Zoo is
inviting the public to suggest names for the baby hippo based on her African
origin. To be in with the chance of winning an annual family pass suggestions
should be posted to the zoo’s Facebook page at facebook.com/dublinzoo.