Auckland Zoo welcomes first South African porcupettes to be bred on site
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Auckland Zoo has welcomed a number of new creatures recently – with two newborn porcupettes the latest to make their arrival.
The first South African porcupettes to be bred at Auckland Zoo were born on January 18 to first-time porcupine parents Alika and Bruce.
Born at the weight of about 300 grams, they are just 3 per cent of the size of an adult porcupine.
Auckland Zoo said its porcupines share an enclosure with its meerkats.
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Zoo staff expect people will be able to view the babies in just a few weeks.
'Porcupines are pretty unique and special creatures, known as environmental engineers,' the zoo said.
They play a key role in the ecosystem by digging up the earth. They eat roots, bark and fallen fruit.
Porcupines face a number of threats including loss of habitat, human-animal conflict and illegal hunting for pet trade.
Over the Christmas period, Auckland Zoo also welcomed a red panda cub and a zebra foul.
Born on December 18, the panda cub is the second for mum, Khela, who gave birth to male cub Tashi around the same time in 2018.
The foul was born on Boxing Day. Auckland Zoo keepers said the birth had gone well and the baby zebra was looking healthy.