A PAIR of cute new arrivals are settling in at Marwell Zoo.

The attraction, in Colden Common, welcomed a tiny male addax calf and a female sitatunga born on Christmas Day.

Both animals have had their initial checks and are reported to be doing well.

Marwell’s Hoofstock team is looking after both animals and says they are growing in confidence, feeding well and venturing out with their parents when the weather allows.

Addax are critically endangered with only 30 to 90 mature individuals thought to survive in the wild, so Marwell’s new addition is incredibly important to the future of the species.

The calf, who has been named Phoenix, was born to mother Amelie and father Tamarisk, on December 12 last year.

He was the second Addax to be born at the zoo in 2023 following the birth of Hanza, Phoenix’s brother earlier in the year.

'A huge success for Marwell'

Assistant animal keeper Sophie Wythe said: “Phoenix is our second calf of 2023 born to mum Amelie and dad Tamerisk, which is a huge success for Marwell.

“Addax are critically endangered with fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild, so Phoenix will have a vital role in protecting this species from extinction."

The zoo's addax are named after African plants with Phoenix being an evergreen palm tree found in North Africa.

“Phoenix is already turning into a very mischievous, confident young individual. He enjoys running around outside in the paddock and causing chaos," Sophie added.

Over in the zoo’s sitatunga house, expecting mother Violet had a very special Christmas Day delivery when her new addition arrived.

Assistant animal keeper Erin Luter said: “The new arrival was born late Christmas Eve, early Christmas Day and has now been confirmed as a female.

“She is doing well and has been seen running around the paddock under the watchful eye of mum Violet and dad Tumnus.

“Although the sitatunga have access to a heated building the calf can often be seen outside in the paddock enjoying the winter sun with the rest of the herd, including her brother Dubu who is only two months old.”

The zoo said its growing herd of sitatunga is vital for the conservation of the species due to its decreasing number in the wild.

Father Tumnus has had lots of practice at fatherhood having sired three calves in 2023 including Violet’s older calf, Kamari in April.

For more information about Marwell Zoo visit marwell.org.uk.