NEWS

During June, the red deer herd started to calf as well as the Bukhara deer. Also born were four Przewalski foals, four markhor lambs, one urial lamb and five wildcats so it seems that our new animals have settled in well.

We now also have two Mishmi takin calves, bringing the herd to ten. The herd can be seen in their area in the Main Reserve. These unusual animals look like a cross between a wildebeest, bison and moose. At home in the eastern Himalayas, these creatures are endangered due to habitat loss.

We were delighted to host the launch of Scottish Natural Heritage's Scottish Wildcat Survey on the 19th of February. The launch saw over 50 individuals from government and conservation bodies meeting with Michael Russell, Minister for Environment to outline the aim of the survey. The public are being urged to report any sightings of wildcats or feral cats. The survey can be completed online at WildcatSurvey.

February saw the arrival of more animals, the most popular of which is the red panda, which can be found next to the Visitor Centre. Both animals arrived from Edinburgh Zoo and are remarkably active in their new home. We also received two young male Carpathian lynx from Chemnitz Zoo in Germany.