Photo credit: Rebecca Farrow
Ahead of Father’s Day, Cotswold Wildlife Park celebrates its newest dads and their recent arrivals. From one of the Park’s largest mammals – the Domestic Bactrian Camel – to Africa’s smallest carnivore, the Dwarf Mongoose, the Park’s breeding males have recently fathered a number of adorable offspring. All are part of the European Breeding Programme (EEP) so every birth is important.
Photo credit: Rebecca Farrow
Male Bactrian Camel, Louis, is one of the Park’s newest fathers. His latest calf, named Klaus, is making his debut in time for Father’s Day. The youngster also arrived ahead of World Camel Day on 22 June 2026. Births are rare in captivity with only three other zoological collections in the UK having bred this species in the last 12 months. The wild Bactrian Camel (Camelus ferus) is classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Photo credit: Rebecca Farrow
Chris Kibbey, Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, said: “Since arriving at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Louis has sired eight calves, helping to grow the next generation and secure the future of these remarkable animals. While camel fathers leave most of the day-to-day parenting to the mums, Louis has made an undeniable contribution to our herd, and his legacy can be seen across the paddock”.
Camels have one of the longest gestation periods for a land mammal – approximately 360 to 440 days, after which time, a single calf is born. The newborn is precocial, meaning it can stand shortly after birth and is typically walking within just a few hours. The young suckle for around a year and usually remain with their mothers for three to five years until reaching sexual maturity. Park photographer Rebecca Farrow captured the new arrival on camera when he was just one day old (pictured above). Visitors can see the youngster in the large paddock he shares with the Bactrian Camel herd.
Elsewhere in the Park, Black-and-white Colobus male Tallus has recently fathered a new offspring (pictured top). In this species, the dominant male typically assumes a leadership and protective role within the troop, while the responsibility for raising the young rests largely with the female. After a gestation period of nearly six months, a single infant is born weighing a mere 400 grams.
Photo credit: Philip Joyce
Natalie Horner, Section Head of Primates, Small Mammals and Birds, said: ‘We are very happy to welcome a new baby Colobus to our troop here at the Park. Dubu, which means ‘bear’ in Swahili, was born to experienced mum Lexi (pictured above with Dubu). Lexi is wonderfully doting, ensuring her baby has everything he needs. Baby Colobus are born covered in completely white fur, this is to help contrast with the black fur of the adults. This makes it easier for the whole troop to keep an eye on them, often passing the baby around to help carry and care for them. It doesn’t take long for their colouration to start to darken though, with Dubu’s colouration change already beginning. He’s growing in confidence every day, becoming very playful with his older siblings. He’s also had his first tastes of solid food.’
Keeper Amy kept a photographic and video diary of Dubu’s development from birth to the present day, providing a rare insight into the youngster’s early life. This marks the first time the Primate team have documented a newborn’s progress in such detail on camera. The Park is delighted to share behind-the-scenes footage of the youngster growing in size and character.
Natalie Horner adds: “We’ve also recently welcomed another baby into our group of Coppery Titi Monkeys (infant pictured below on dad Peter’s back soon after its birth). Probably one of the sweetest monkeys around, you can often find the new addition sat in the middle of the group with all their tails entwined as part of their strong family connection.”
In addition to the latest arrivals, Yellow Mongoose father Chip has recently sired twins. Only two other zoological collections in the UK have successfully bred these small, elegant mammals this year. Visitors can see the as-yet-unnamed youngsters in their exhibit in the Walled Garden.
Senior Keeper Hayley commented: “Chip has been a wonderful father to his new twins. He’s been a really attentive dad. At every feed, he always makes sure mum Nutmeg and the babies have food before eating anything himself. He also keeps a really close eye on the little ones while they explore the enclosure”.
Photo credit: Brian Lilly
Lastly, the Park’s Dwarf Mongooses have welcomed a new arrival. They are Africa’s smallest Mongoose species and among the continent’s tiniest omnivores. Visitors can see the new family in the enclosure they share with the Porcupines opposite Little Africa.
Photo credit: Philip Joyce
Photo credit: Philip Joyce
Protecting wildlife beyond the Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park has proudly supported the Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) since its inception and was the first zoological collection to do so. The WCPF’s sole aim is to protect the endangered wild Bactrian Camel and its habitat in the fragile and unique desert ecosystems in the Gobi desert in north-west China and south-west Mongolia. In 2003, the WCPF established a captive wild camel breeding programme in Mongolia – the only programme of its kind in the world. Over the years, Cotswold Wildlife Park has donated over £20,000 to the charity and continues to support their vital conservation work. To find out more, please visit: www.wildcamels.com.