Fota at 40: Conservation and survival as Cork's wildlife park marks a milestone

As the Wildlife Park prepares to mark their fortieth anniversary, Noel Baker goes behind the scenes with the rangers

A ring-tailed lemur carrying her newborn baby on her back at Fota Wildlife Park. Endemic to Madagascar, they are one of the most Critically endangered species in the world. Picture Dan Linehan

Last autumn Jai became the only Indian rhino ever born in this country, with Fota Wildlife Park announcing his birth and his name. And in a delightful twist, it turns out his dad is the one with the nappy rash.

Jamil and Maya were the proud parents to Jai, but it’s Jamil who needs a regular application of Aveena baby lotion on his rear end after he took to scratching his hind quarters after making a, em, deposit.