Never mind the summer rain - there’s a Noah’s Ark in North Yorkshire

THE pitter patter of tiny hoofs can be heard at Flamingo Land following a summer baby boom.
Four week old Grant's Zebra. Pictures: Harry AtkinsonFour week old Grant's Zebra. Pictures: Harry Atkinson
Four week old Grant's Zebra. Pictures: Harry Atkinson

The zoo and theme park near Malton has welcomed a baby zebra, lemurs, capybaras and penguins into the fold in recent weeks.

Zoo manager Ross Snipp said: “We’ve had a really good year so far and we’re hoping that it will continue.

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“We’ve not has this many lemur babies in ages. They’re all playing together, climbing and jumping about - it’s a great spectacle.”

Six week old Capybaras.Six week old Capybaras.
Six week old Capybaras.

There have been three capybara babies, which are like large guinea pigs, and around five weeks ago a male zebra foal was born.

Ross said: “He’s been out and about with his parents and sister and he’s doing really well.

“He’s really strong - he was up on his feet within the first hour.”

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There are also three new penguin chicks, which can be hard to spot in the enclosure are already close to being adult size.

Flamingos guarding their eggs.Flamingos guarding their eggs.
Flamingos guarding their eggs.

Currently there are also a number of flamingos nesting on eggs at the moment, which chicks expected soon.

Ross said: “As zookeepers, babies are one of the things we look forward to the most.

“It’s a large part of what we do and we get to see them go and start their own families.

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“It’s a win-win situation, because it’s good for us and good for visitors.”

Four week old Grant's Zebra.Four week old Grant's Zebra.
Four week old Grant's Zebra.

The park is due to welcome two black rhinos in September - a mum and calf - which are coming from Zurich Zoo.

This will mean Flamingo Land becomes the only zoo in the UK looking after both white and black rhinos.

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