Baby boom surprise for Folly Farm (From Western Telegraph)

Baby boom surprise for Folly Farm

A baby boom at Folly Farm has been keeping staff busy and delighting visitors.

Alongside the regular new arrivals of foals, calves, rabbits and guinea pigs are a couple of surprise babies - a Mara and a Llama.

Maras, which originate from Argentina, are officially known as Patagonian Cavies and are large members of the rodent family, closely related to the guinea pig, although looking nothing like them.

Mabel, Maggie and Margo Mara came to Folly Farm earlier this season, with Mabel nursing a secret!

She gave Folly Farmers a surprise when she was found with her new arrival - now christened Matilda - early one morning.

Farm supervisor Jane Hill said: It was a bit of a shock when this baby arrived, because all the maras are female. She must have been pregnant when she came to us, which means that we could have more babies on the way!

The second new arrival was a little fluffier than the mara - a new little male llama named Louis.

Llamas have been a big hit with guests at Folly Farm since 1998, and Hannah, Ruth, Romey and Harriet are all out in the paddocks at present, where they can be seen from the tractor and trailer ride.

Jane said: A baby llama is called a cria, and little Louis will not only be looked after by his mum, but also by all the other llamas because when a baby llama is born, all of the group help to raise the youngster. Anyone who would like to visit Matilda and Louis or any of the Folly Farm babies, Folly Farm is open seven days a week - 10 am to 5.30 pm - until the end of September and 11 am to 5 pm through October.

Folly Farm can be contacted on (01834) 812731 or visit the website www.folly-farm.co.uk