FIVE new baby African pygmy goats have arrived at the zoo at Walton Hall and Gardens, including rare triplets.
The triplets were born to mum Rose on Monday march 5 while another goat Eve gave birth to twins.
It is a rare occurrence for triplets to be born with this particular breed of goats and the Walton zoo rangers are thrilled with the new arrivals.
Peter Cookson-Dean has been a ranger at the zoo for 35 years, he said: “In all of my 35 years at the children’s zoo this is only the 3rd set of triplets I’ve seen. The new mums surprised me by giving birth at sensible times during the day and not in the middle of the night which has happened previously.
“The twins were born at 9.30am followed by the triplets at 1.30pm. I’m so proud of Rose and Eve and the kids are just beautiful. We’re hoping to have them on show to the public in time for the Easter holidays.”
Peter plans to organise a competition for school children to win the chance to name the new arrivals.
Children of all ages and school groups are welcome to come down and see all the animals, from new-born to long in the tooth, at the zoo.
There are a range of educational tours, for children of nursery age up to high school age. They can find out about animal senses and predators and prey and learn about rabbits, goats, donkeys, alpacas, ferrets, chickens and more.
For more information see warrington.gov.uk/waltongardens. The children’s zoo opens daily at 10.30am and closes at 5pm in the summer and 4pm in the winter. Entry is free of charge.
Animal feeding times are 2pm in the summer and 1pm in the winter.
Zoo Ranger Peter Cookson and communications officer Claire O’Brien with the baby goats
