4 minute read
News
Baby Love
From capybara pups to rare Suffolk Punch foals, we can’t get enough of these adorable additions to our ever-growing family. Animal Collection Manager, Sophie Ryder, gives the low-down on all our new arrivals and what to watch out for over winter here at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park.
Advertisement
Name Bellatrix
Name Annabelle
Name Barnaby
www.jimmysfarm.com
News
Capybara cuties
Everyone’s talking about our ever-expanding capybara family after the birth of five more gorgeous babies in two separate litters born on the same day – all sired by our resident male, Bruno.
Named after the Disney film, Encanto, Bruno has been getting friendly with females, Mirabel – who gave birth to two pups – and Isabel, three, on 8 October. The latest births follow the arrival of two pups in September – taking our capybara community to 10!
The capybara is a semi-aquatic animal from South America and the world’s largest rodent. After a five-month gestation period, a female capybara will typically give birth to four or five pups, although it’s not uncommon for a female to deliver one or two, especially if it is their first ever litter.
Capybara pups are not efficient swimmers at first, so they stay on land hiding in bushy cover, but our latest additions are very nosey and already showing signs of wanting to explore.
“They are incredibly brave and love to say hello to people,” says Animal Collection Manager, Sophie Ryder. “The parents just let them get on with it, but they’re always in earshot of mum – if they get spooked, they will run back straight away. “They don’t like to go in the water so much when it’s raining or cold, but once the weather warms up again, they’ll be taking a dip whenever they can and showing off their amazing swimming skills like holding their breath underwater for up to five minutes!”
Packing a Punch!
Our rare breed Suffolk Punch horses, Annie and Annabelle, are back at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park with their adorable new foals – colt, Barnaby, and filly, Bellatrix – after both giving birth at The Suffolk Punch Trust in Hollesley back in May. And we are delighted to announce that our majestic pair are expecting again!
“Our new foals are settling in really well,” says Sophie. “Bellatrix is little bit cheeky, and Barnaby loves a fuss! We’ve created a special area so that visitors can get close to them, and we’re holding a series of talks so that everyone can find out more about these truly amazing animals, who are very rare.
www.jimmysfarm.com
Especially for you
Jason, our male kookaburra, has been joined by a laughing and singing female companion, Kylie, who joins us from Tilgate Nature Centre in Crawley, West Sussex. The largest member of the kingfisher family, laughing kookaburras originate from Australia, and are particularly known for the peculiar sound they make – a mix of cackles, chuckles and hoots!
Awesome Audrey
Our Bactrian camel calf, Audrey, has been growing quickly since her birth on 31 October and, according to Sophie, “she loves a carrot as a special treat!” Her parents, Alice and Arthur, are always close at hand to keep an eye on her – come and meet our ‘A Team’ and find out more about these wonderful animals.
www.jimmysfarm.com
News
Say cheese
We are preparing to put our rams in with the ewes for breeding, so that we have lambs in time for Spring 2023. Plus, we have welcomed a new Norfolk Horn ram called Cheddar and two new Kerry Hill ewes who will be nice new additions to our flock.
Strutting his stu
Our male reindeer, Dolph, is in his rut (deer breeding season) and has stripped back his velvet and is showing o to his female, Rowan. “You may nd he is much more vocal and active around the enclosure,” explains Sophie. “Male reindeers strip back their velvet in October and lose the antlers in December, whereas female reindeers will keep the antlers longer to protect themselves and their calves.” So, Santa’s reindeers must all be girls!
News
Hot to trot
We’re expecting piglets shortly from our Saddleback sow – you’ll be able to see these cuties once they’re born when you take a woodland walk. Our newly created pig enclosure in the woods provides an enriching environment as they have space to roam and forage. It’s a piggy paradise!
