Zookeepers at Chester Zoo have helped raise a rare newborn baby aadvark nicknamed Womble.
The calf is only the second aardvark ever born at the zoo in its 94-year history.
Zoo workers have been bottle-feeding it warm milk after its mother struggled to produce enough milk.
As aardvarks are nocturnal animals, staff carried out feeds overnight while Womble, officially named Oni, left to forage for food.
The calf’s nickname was inspired by the fictional Wombles from the children’s books and television series, with keepers saying its wrinkled hairless skin, long snout and oversized claws bore a resemblance to the characters.
Sophie Tyson, one of the zoo’s keepers, said: ‘Oni’s new arrival is only the second aardvark to be born at the zoo in our 94-year history, so it’s a really special addition for us all.
‘While we don’t yet know whether the calf is male or female, as it’s a little too young for us to tell, the nickname ‘Womble’ has definitely stuck. With the calf’s giant ears, long snout and playful personality, we think it’s the perfect fit for the time being.
‘Aardvarks spend their days sleeping and are most active at night, so while mum Oni heads off to forage for food, we’ve been giving the calf some extra support to help it grow stronger.’
Zookeepers at Chester Zoo have helped raise a rare newborn baby aadvark nicknamed Womble
The calf is only the second aardvark ever born at the zoo in its 94-year history
As aardvarks are nocturnal animals, staff carried out feeds overnight while Womble, officially named Oni, left to forage for food
