Dudley Zoological Gardens have a number of wonderful mothers. They come in all shapes and sizes from feathers to fur, scales to shells.
All the species form a bond with their young encouraging them to feed, interacting with their family and at times playing.
To celebrate mother’s day Dudley Zoo shared their five favourite mums.
Meo and her un-named infant
The newest mum on the list is lar gibbon Meo who had her infant on January 16. Her infant is so new keepers are yet to determine its sex and give it a name.
12 year old Meo is raising her infant alongside dad, Huggy and her 3 year old daughter, Penny. Even though Penny is getting older she still regularly enjoys a cuddle with the family.
Originally from South-East Asia this species is endangered due to hunting, deforestation and palm oil plantations.
Jazz the Bornean orangutan and daughter Sprout
Dudley Zoo had not an orangutan birth in 10 years before the birth of three year old Sprout. Now the pair are firm favourites of all who visit the park.
Orangutans are the only great apes found in Asia but they may not be there for long with their forest home being destroyed for commercial logging, palm oil farming and a trade in illegally captured baby orangutans.
Kito and his mum Mia
Mum Mia isn’t alone in her work to raise calf Kito. Auntie Josie has been a constant companion of the pair. Dad, Kubwa has been spending time with them as well.
Kito is a rothschild’s giraffe the world’s rarest giraffe sub-species. Found throughout Kenya and Uganda these giraffes are decreasing in number due to meat, hides and the use of their tail hair for bracelets. They are also affected by overgrazing and desertification.
Nanga and son Makalu
No one is more mishchieveous than 11 month old Makalu who keeps mum, Nanga on her toes. Named after one of the world’s tallest mountains Makalu seems to enjoy finding the highest peaks in his enclosure.
Snow leopards are under threat due to humans killing them to get their highly prized fur and to use their bones in Oriental medicines.
Dick, Dom, Daphne the Carpathian lynx with mum Daisy.
Dick, Dom and Daphne are the first Carpathian lynx to be born at Dudley Zoo. Their antics have attracted a large fan base at the zoo.
Carpathian lynx come from the Carpathian mountain range in central Europe. Here they are under threat from hunting for their pelts and habitat loss along with their prey numbers rapidly declining.
Photo Credits: Dudley Zoo
