RZSSA vicuna has been born at the Highland Wildlife Park as part of their ongoing “baby boom”.
The month-old vicuna, which is the smallest species of camel, has been named Xoco, meaning “little sister” or “the youngest child” in the Nahuatl language of central Mexico.
Xoco was born on June 18 to parents Juanita and Austria and is settling in well with the small herd of six vicuna.
They live within the park’s drive-through reserve, and visitors will be able to see Xoco with mum close by.
RZSSVicunas trace their origins back to South America, specifically the high plains of the Andes mountains.
Because their natural habitat is so low in oxygen, vicunas have developed larger-than-normal hearts to help cope.
They are also known for their soft wool, and are the national animal of Peru.
Xoco’s birth comes amidst a boom for the park with the birth of two new snow leopard cubs back in May, the first cubs in four years.
Other recent additions to the park include red deer and Himalayan monals.
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