The team at the zoo at Sewerby Hall and Gardens are welcoming new arrivals for 2022.
There are two new ponies – the first is a Thelwell Shetland pony called Martha, who is grey in colour, with a cheeky personality, and who loves to play. The other is a bigger pony of unknown origin called Dolly.
Head zookeeper John Pickering said : “They both came to Sewerby zoo because they needed a new home and we were glad to step in. They are settling in here really well.”
The zoo has also just received two Ryeland sheep which were in need of a new home. Ryelands are one of the oldest breeds of English sheep, dating back seven centuries when they were bred in Herefordshire. They possibly have their origins in the Merino sheep of Spain.
John Pickering added : “The sheep are two boys, and we have named them Stan and Ollie, after the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.”
Other new arrivals include a pair of Greater Rhea who came to the zoo from Harewood House. Rhea belong to the family of birds known as Rattites - large flightless birds, including Emu and Ostrich. Greater Rhea are the largest birds in South America, and they reside in the Waterfall Paddock in the zoo.
The zoo is open daily and includes pygmy goats, llamas, guinea pigs, sika deer, Cameroon sheep, micro pigs, capuchin monkeys, degus and raccoon dogs. Amongst the stars of the show are the Humboldt penguins including Rosie, thought to be the oldest Humboldt in the world, and recent new arrival Pickle.
For full details, visit www.sewerbyhall.co.uk
