LOXAHATCHEE, FL — It’s a busy time for mothers at Lion Country Safari.
"We have a lot of other animals that are born at different times of the year, but the spring and early summer are the time when most of them are born," according to Terry Wolf, Wildlife Director at Lion Country Safari.
However it is no coincidence that these animals from Africa have given birth recently.
"We have spring the same time they do in Africa so it works out well," said Wolf.
"There are six brand new babies here," said Wolf as he pointed to the Impalas. "The impala is one of the fastest African antelope, they can run about fifty miles per hour, which really helps when you are being chased by something like a cheetah or a leopard."
And the impalas aren't the only new members of the antelope family hanging around these parts.
"Elands are the largest of the African Antelope. They usually live on the border of the forest and the savannah," said Wolf.
And some creatures are not only new to this world, but new to Lion Country as well, like the kulan.
"We never had them before, they just came in this year. They came out of quarantine about a month ago, and were released into this section," Wolf said.
We are lucky to have them here, as they are not in great numbers around the world.
"These are almost critical to become extinct if changes aren't made," said Wolf.
And babies aren't just a great attraction, they are important, because a lot of the animals on display are getting older.
"We are having to deal with problem with animals that are living way beyond their life expectancy. And the things we have to do to keep them healthy and happy and keep their quality of life up," said Wolf.
But when it comes to the little ones around here, the living is pretty good.
"You get free healthcare, you get all your meals provided, you get protection from predators" said Wolf.
"It's a great life," he said.
