Park celebrates birth of rare European mouflon lambs

The park’s herd currently consistes of one ram, four ewes and their new additions, which are a testament to the park’s dedication to the conservation of this unique wild sheep species.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome these new mouflon lambs,” says aanimal manager Adam Ford. “As one of only two UK collections to showcase mouflon, we play an important role in educating the public about this fascinating species and contributing to their ongoing conservation.”

European mouflon are native to the Mediterranean islands and were introduced across Europe for hunting. Now well-established, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of domestic livestock and the delicate balance between introduced species and native ecosystems.

Visitors will notice the ram’s impressive curly horns, a sign of maturity and dominance, while the ewes typically have smaller horns or none at all. Mouflon live in small herds which are led by an older ewe, with rams often forming separate groups outside of the October/November rutting season. After a five-month gestation period, ewes give birth to one or two lambs in March/April, nursing them for about six months.