Birth of five oryx a big success for wildlife park
The births to five scimitar-horned oryx mothers in recent weeks bring to 70 the number of calves which have arrived to the Co Cork herd since 1983.
The species is on the brink of extinction and Fota is one of a number of international zoos and wildlife parks that are home to 1,200 such animals. Reintroduction programmes are also beginning to show successes in Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal.
Tony O’Dwyer, operations manager of Fota Wildlife Park, said the staff is absolutely delighted.
“The scimitar-horned oryx is a critically endangered animal and to have five births at the one time from five separate mothers is a major achievement for the team at Fota. The herd is growing steadily and we hope to have continued success with the breeding programme in the future,” he said.
The calves weighed in at around 15kg each at birth earlier this month and are already running with the rest of the herd, which currently numbers 15 adults.
The younger oryx will be suckled for up to nine months and reach maturity between 18 months and two years. The adults can live up to 20 years.
Fota’s oryxes can be seen in the main paddock, with giraffe, zebra, ostrich and other free-ranging animals.
The park is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, and admissions are allowed up to 5pm during the summer.
*For further information, visit www.fotawildlife.ie or call (021) 4812678.
