First-time dad Anubis will have plenty to celebrate this Father’s Day after welcoming four Nyala calves at Monarto Safari Park in just over two weeks.
The 5 year old male was introduced to females Margo, Mutomo, Bardo and Tornado around Christmas last year and, following a seven-month gestation, the breeding group has now welcomed two male and two female calves.
The oldest calf is just over two weeks old, while the youngest arrivals are only a few days old.
Monarto Safari Park Ungulate Keeper Bill Stevenson said Anubis had taken his new role in his stride.
“Anubis is a first-time dad and he’s fathered four calves so far, so he’s had a pretty impressive start,” Bill said.
“He’s been very protective of the calves and has shown plenty of interest in the females since they’ve given birth.
“Three of the four females are also first-time mums and they’re doing a great job.”
The youngest calves can be difficult to spot at first, with Nyala naturally hiding their newborns among scrub and vegetation during their first weeks of life.
“The calves will spend a lot of time tucked away in the scrub while they’re very young, with mum coming back regularly to feed and care for them,” Bill said.
“As they get a little older, they’ll start following their mums around and becoming much more active, so visitors should begin seeing more of them exploring the habitat.”
While the four calves currently look similar, the two young males will change dramatically as they mature.
“All Nyala calves have that beautiful fawn colouring when they’re born,” Bill said.
“As the males grow, they’ll become much darker and develop horns, while the females keep their lighter colouring throughout their lives.
“You only have to look at Anubis alongside the females to see just how different the adult males become.”
Visitors hoping to spot Monarto Safari Park’s newest family members can find the Nyala habitat near the Africa giraffe habitat, on the opposite side of the boardwalk.
“You might have to look carefully in the scrub for the youngest calves, but as they become more confident, there’ll be a much better chance of seeing the family out together,” Bill said.
With four new calves already keeping the herd busy, Anubis’ first Father’s Day is certainly shaping up to be one to remember.
