New Forest welcomes five rare mouflon lambs
25th April 2024
Five rare European mouflon lambs have recently been born at the New Forest Wildlife Park.
The park that specialises in native and past-native wildlife of Britain announced that the lambs arrived on the 5th, 9th and 11th April.
Its team said that these adorable additions are a testament to the park’s dedication to the conservation of this unique wild sheep species.
Conservation of species
Animal manager Adam Ford added: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome these new mouflon lambs.
“As one of only two UK collections to showcase mouflon, we play an important role in educating the public about this fascinating species and contributing to their ongoing conservation.”
European mouflon are native to the Mediterranean islands and were introduced across Europe for hunting. Now well-established, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of domestic livestock and the delicate balance between introduced species and native ecosystems.
The park’s herd currently consists of one ram, four ewes, and their new lambs.
Worth paying a visit
Park visitors will be able to notice the ram’s impressive curly horns, a sign of maturity and dominance, while the ewes typically have smaller horns or none at all.
Mouflon live in small herds, which are led by an older ewe, with rams often forming separate groups outside of the October/November rutting season.
After a five-month gestation period, ewes give birth to one or two lambs in March/April, nursing them for about six months.
While the IUCN classifies European mouflon as feral, the New Forest Wildlife Park recognises their educational value and actively participates in breeding programmes.
Threats like habitat loss, poaching, and disease transmission from domestic livestock highlight the need for ongoing conservation efforts.
Record-breaking season
The New Forest Wildlife Park champions mouflon conservation, as highlighted by a record-breaking 14 lambs born in April 2022.
Keeper Jenn Rawson explained: “By showcasing mouflon, we can educate our visitors about the challenges facing wild sheep populations and the importance of responsible wildlife management. It’s heartwarming to see our herd expanding and know we’re making a difference.”
The New Forest Wildlife Park invites visitors to come and see these charming new lambs while discovering the importance of mouflon conservation.
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