Published at 11:56, Monday, 09 June 2008

WHAT a week it’s been at South Lakes Wild Animal Park.

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Not content with making history by delivering Cumbria’s first rhino, Dalton zoo also welcomed 1,100 people for Barnardo’s Big Toddle on Thursday and on Friday took charge of two young giraffes, two spider monkeys, and saw the return after many years of the world’s largest rodent.

This is why the park consistently rates among the north west’s top tourist attractions.

“It’s been quite a week for us,” said park director David Gill.

“People are starting to trickle in to see the baby rhino.

“Nyala is on full show to the public. It will be amazing for everybody who’s come to see her to be within one or two metres of her.

“She’s settled in so well and the baby’s really taking to stardom.

“She’s showing herself off to everybody so you’ll be able to get some fantastic photos.”

Two giraffe calves from Belfast Zoo have joined the park’s bachelor herd.

Bo and Earl are just over two-years-old and are now weaned from their mothers.

Their arrival coincides with the departure of Walda, who is heading to Longleat.

“He’s one of our big males and they are very big animals,” explained Mr Gill.

“It’s a big event and it’s difficult to load them.”

Walda will be loaded into a trailer with a very high roof that gradually lowers, encouraging the giraffe to lie down.

To prevent Walda seizing up, the trailer will stop regularly on the journey to Wiltshire, the roof will be raised again so he can stand up and then the whole process will be repeated.

“Giraffes have no problems at all settling in,” added Mr Gill.

“Bo and Earl will go into the yard on Saturday and maybe into the field on Sunday.

“We bring young bachelors into the herd, nurture and develop them, and when they’re ready for breeding they will go out into a breeding situation.”

The other arrivals will also become superb additions to the park’s current residents.

The capybaras will share an enclosure with the spectacled bears and tapirs.

And Clinger, one of the zoo’s most endearing characters, has two new playmates – mother and daughter Chippy and Kali.

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