Longleat welcomes the arrival of three Fennec Fox kits

Longleat has welcomed the arrival of three Fennec Fox kits.

They are the only ones to have been recorded as born in the UK Zoos and Safari Parks in the last 12 months.

The one boy and two girls – yet to be named – make up 10 per cent of global births in zoos around the world in the last 10 months.

This is the fourth litter for mum Zuri and dad Enzi.

Catriona Moy, Team Manager of Animal Adventure and Lakes, said: “We always knew raising baby kits would be a challenge as very few young fennec foxes survive to adulthood.”

She is joined by lead keepers Samantha Peeke and Abbi Wheeler in helping the little ones out.

Samantha said: “The babies in this litter were just 46 grams when they were born and in 12 days have already doubled in size. They are having feeds now every three hours and we are expecting them to open their eyes for the first time within days, which will be around Easter time.

“It is a difficult decision to remove the babies, but we know that Zuri does not have the resources herself to successfully rear the kits and hand rearing, while a last resort, is their best chance,” she added.