Just like humans, animals can be affected by the heat, so this week staff took measures to ensure the zoo’s residents remained chilled out, even when the temperatures were rising.

This led to new alpacas on the block, Rufus and Clive, receiving a helping hand to keep cool in the sunshine.

Like llamas, alpacas are not found in the wild but are domesticated animals which have been bred for centuries. They have very woolly fleeces, which have to be shorn every couple of years.

In preparation for the warmer weather, the four-legged favourites received a visit from the shearer and are now sporting airier summer coats.

A male dwarf mongoose has also arrived at Drusillas after travelling from Banham Zoo in Norfolk, to join Nala and Zazu already residing at the zoo. 

Co-operation between zoos for the purpose of animal conservation and breeding is extremely important. Zoos within the United Kingdom, as well as across Europe, work closely together sharing information and supporting each other.

There are actually thirty different species of mongoose and dwarf mongooses are native to the dry grassland, open forests and bushlands of Africa. In the wild, dwarf mongooses will feed on insects, crabs, lizards, snakes, rodents and even termites.

The young male is currently being introduced to his new play mates and although this can be a slow process, the keepers are confident of them forging a strong friendship.

When zoo explorers venture down to Parrot Falls at Drusillas Park they’ll be sure of a big surprise.

The popular parrot aviary has had a revamp and the current residents, including two blue and gold macaws and a group of red fronted conures, have welcomed some new feathered friends under their wing.

The arrivals include two new blue and gold macaws. These beautiful birds are found in the tropical forests and swamps of Central and South America and are very intelligent.

There is also three bare eyed cockatoos. A first for Drusillas, these winged wonders have very cheeky personalities and are native to New Guinea.

Finally they are joined by two blue fronted Amazon parrots, who are very vocal and in the wild can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina.

The new recruits have flown into the Park from Leeds Castle and these brightly coloured birds are sure to soar into the affections of visitors.

Image : Blue and Gold Macaws

A cracking new addition has emerged from Penguin Bay at Drusillas Park and taken a first look at their new watery world.

The tiny Humboldt penguin chick hatched under the care of proud parents Fred and Sambuka, who have been taking it in turns to sit on the egg over the last few weeks.

In the wild, Humboldt penguins are found off the west coast of South America, in Peru and northern Chile. They are able to live in this region due to the chilling effect of the icy Humboldt Current, which they take their name from.

Unfortunately, they are now regarded as an endangered species and the group at Drusillas are involved in an International breeding programme.

The new chick is still a bundle of fluffy grey feathers but it won’t be long before its adult black and white plumage starts to come through and this little penguin gets its water wings.
 


Image: Zoo Manager, Sue Woodgate with a penguin chick

A new shy guy has taken up residency at Drusillas Park. Ascarii, the fennec fox arrived from the Czech Republic at the beginning of June. Since then, the bashful young fox has been getting acquainted with Mali, a female from Augsburg Zoo in Germany.

Over the next few months, the two foxes will be looked after behind the scenes at the Park while they settle into their new surroundings and complete the required period in quarantine.

Keepers are hopeful that the foxes will eventually form part of a breeding group at the Park. Although Ascarii remains tentative, early signs are encouraging and the couple appear to be settling well together.

Fennec foxes are the smallest members of the dog family and are native to the Sahara desert of North Africa.

They have distinctive oversized ears which can grow up to 15cms long. Their ears are large to help them release heat and to listen out for their prey at night. They also have thick fur on the soles of their paws to protect them from the hot desert sand.

The fennec foxes will take their place along the zoo route at Drusillas Park later this year, when there is no doubt this paw-fect new pair are likely to become a huge hit with both staff and visitors.



Image: Ascarii the Fennec Fox

There was a mini meerkat discovery at the Zoo when a new arrival emerged from the tunnels of the meerkat enclosure to take their first look at their Drusillas home.

At Drusillas Park the African land snails, or marginated snails as they are also known, have begun to lay eggs. However, these are not just ordinary snails; these are GIANT snails growing up to thirty centimetres in size!

As their name suggests, these snails are found naturally in Africa, although they can now be found all over the world as pets.

Snails are hermaphrodites, which means each individual snail is both male and female. These slippery creatures move by controlling two sets of muscles in their `foot`, by contracting one set after another to make a wave effect which produces a forward movement.

The Drusillas keepers will be checking the progress of these marvellous molluscs and making sure that when the eggs hatch everything is snail-right.



Image: One of the Drusilllas African Land Snails