One of Norfolk’s leading family attractions, Amazona Zoo in Cromer is delighted to announce a number of recent births during lockdown including Patagonian Hare young, a Common Marmoset and Striated Caracaras chicks.  

Head Keeper, Imogen White said: “Lock down has been a very interesting and busy time, not only for us but for our birds and mammals!  We have had much to celebrate despite the anguish of not being able to open while we were in lockdown.”

During lockdown Amazona Zoo welcomed the new arrivals of eight Patagonian hares also known as Mara, a baby Marmoset and two Striated Caracara chicks.

Imogen said: “The parents, Marj and Spencer, were only paired about 6 months ago and their happy union soon welcomed their first offspring. They have been fantastic parents and share carrying their baby who was born in April.”

More recently, the zoo announced the births of Patagonian hares and two healthy Striated Caracara chicks which were successfully hatched on June 20^th. 

Imogen says: “Both caracara adults have been resident at the zoo for 12 years and last year was the first time that they tried to nest but weren’t successful, so this year we are celebrating!  Both parents have shared the duties of feeding their young after the female sat on the eggs for approximately 32 days.”

Deemed to be highly intelligent, the Striated Caracara, also known as Johnny Rook, are a bird of prey. They are found predominantly in the Falkland Islands and small islands off Tierra del Fuego. Once abundant in numbers there are approximately only 500 pairs left in the Falklands.

The adults’ plumage is almost black in colour, while the legs and lores are orange and the neck is flecked with grey. The first-year juveniles have an orange or light red down, which they lose after their first molt. Full adult plumage is acquired only in the fifth year.

Amazona Zoo is a great day out where families can learn about a varied and fascinating selection of animals native to South America. Home to over 200 tropical animals, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, monkeys, snakes, caimans, flamingos, tapirs and Tic-Tac the toucan, the zoo is committed to helping visitors discover nature and providing education on conservation issues set within 15 acres on the north Norfolk coast.

As well as the wide variety of animals, the zoo also a Tropical House, a tarantula spider house and a cute South American guinea pig village. 

There is a takeaway café, which is open from 10.30am, providing a selection of hot and cold snacks, meals and drinks. The well-stocked gift shop sells a variety of toys, games, stationery, jewellery, confectionary and books.  (Face coverings apply in the shop for over 11’s.)

Tickets to visit must be purchased in advance online www.Amazonazoo.co.uk.

What Animals and Birds can you see?

There are at least four ‘feed the animal’ events a day, with jaguar and pumas on alternate days.

• Four species of tarantulas in their Spider House
• South American guinea pigs in the Guinea Pig Village
• A Toucan called Tic-Tac
• Feline Forest – Pumas, Jaguar and Ocelot
• Tropical House: Entering from the Capuchin walkway, visitors will encounter the Red Billed Toucan and the Piping Guan. After the bridge, see the Spectacled Caiman and spot the Red-tailed Catfish or the Black Pacu. Follow the path into the shadows to find the Iguanas, the Anaconda and the Boa Constrictors.
• South American Wildfowl: See native migratory species such as Greylag Geese and Mallard, as well as Chiloe Wigeon, Brazilian Teal, Coscoroba Swan and the iridescent Comb Duck.
• Chilean Flamingos
• Birds of Prey: Red-legged Seriema are South America’s nearest relation to birds, known in the rest of the world as cranes. Striated Caracara, also known as Johnny Rook, are found predominantly in the Falkland Islands and small islands off Tierra del Fuego. Once abundant in numbers there are approximately only 500 pairs left in the Falklands.
• Capybara: This is the world’s largest rodent. It is an excellent swimmer, with eyes, nostrils and ears set in alignment across the top of the head.
• Brazilian Tapir: One of the largest of three species to be found in South America, this one has the widest distribution. Its closest relatives are the rhinoceros and the horse.
• Amazon Parrots & Macaws
• Squirrel Monkeys: This small monkey of Central and South America lives in troops of up to 30-40 animals from mangrove swamps to 3,000 feet above sea level.
• Geoffrey’s Spider Monkeys: This species is distributed throughout Central America, from Mexico to Panama.
• Ring-tailed Coati & American River Otters
• Marmosets Capuchin Monkeys
• Mara: the Patagonian Hare
• The Rhea:  the greater Rhea is one of South America’s largest birds
• Collared Peccary: Also known as the Javelina or the Musk Hog, this is the smallest of the peccary species.

For more information visit www.amazonazoo.co.uk, call 01263 510741 or follow @AmazonaZoo on twitter and AmazonaZoo on Facebook

Disclosure – I have not received any compensation for sharing this. I have worked with Amazona Zoo many times in the past and just thought this would be nice to share. Images provided by Amazona Zoo