Congratulations to Charlene Butler who entered the winning name 'Manyara' for our new Lechwe calf, picked by our Curator. Charlene has won a Keeper For A Day experience!

Our Lechwe herd were transferred to us from Knowsley Safari Park at the end of May, 2010.  They've obviously settled in, as we are proud to announce the birth of our first Lechwe calf. 

Here is some more information about the Lechwe antelope:

The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, (Kobus leche) is an antelope found in Botswana, Zambia, south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, north-eastern Namibia, and eastern Angola, especially in theOkavango Delta, Kafue Flats and Bangweulu Swamps.

Lechwe stand 90 to 100 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 70 to 120 kilograms. They are golden brown with a white belly. Males are darker in colour, but general hue varies depending onsubspecies. The long spiral structured horns are vaguely lyre-shaped, they are found only in males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in proportion than in other antelopes, to ease long-distance running in marshy soil.

Lechwe are found in marshy areas where they eat aquatic plants. They use the knee-deep water as protection from predators. Their legs are covered in a water repelling substance allowing them to run quite fast in knee-deep water.

Lechwe are diurnal. They gather in herds which can include many thousands of individuals. Herds are usually all of one sex but during mating season they mix.