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New parents Stripey and Janette are today celebrating the arrival of their brand new baby – a victory not just for the pair of endangered narrow-striped mongoose, but for Jersey Zoo, who have been working hard to save their species from extinction.
The new zoo recruit is one of a host of breeding successes, including five critically endangered fruit bats and four endangered Malagasy giant jumping rats.
The narrow-striped mongoose, which is native to South Eastern Madagascar and known as a Bokiboky, recently saw its status upgraded from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’, with a captive population of just 24 in Europe.
Having worked hard alongside other zoos in London and Berlin to ensure its continued survival, Senior Mammal Keeper Chris Davies said that he was delighted with the little arrival.
Pictured: Smile! The little baby mongoose shows off for the camera. (Photo: Leila Boyd)
“We are all so excited about our new baby, born to seasoned mother Janette and first time father Stripey. The little one is growing up fast but if you are quiet while visiting, you may see mum and baby playing or snuggling up together.”
2017 has also seen great success for the Zoo’s rarest mammal species, Livingstone’s fruit bats, of which there are little over 1,000 left in the wild. Keepers were therefore thrilled to find five babies clinging to their mother in the Island Bat Roost.
“To know that there are five more of one of the rarest mammal species on the planet is a fantastic feeling. All mothers and babies are doing well and the great news is there are more on the way, with several other females currently pregnant,” Head of Mammals, Dominic Wormell said.
Photo: The baby bat enjoys a cuddle with mumma. (Photos: Sanne Boland)
Malagasy giant jumping rats have also seen four new friends join this spring. The first pup was born in early March, with another following in April and then a set of squeaking twins emerging from the nest box in May – the only births to have occurred in the global captive population throughout 2016 and 2017.
Senior Mammal Keeper Gale Glendewar commented: “In the wild, this species only breeds once a year when the food is at its most plentiful. However, the Jersey Zoo group has gone from strength to strength and babies seem to be popping up every month.”
Video: Fruit bat Mona and her new pup hanging around. (Source: Ed Bell/Jersey Zoo)
Gale added: “Over the next few months it is likely that we will have to say goodbye to our oldest sons, Iray and Roa (meaning one and two in Malagasy), and their sister Telo (number 3!). At the moment however, everything in the rat group is harmonious and all individuals are taking an important role in the care of the new infants.”
Photo: The baby rats enjoy a leafy meal.
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