A new baby zebra is the most recent arrival to be welcomed into the Folly Farm family.

The zebra, named Dayo which means ‘joy arrives’ in Yoruba, an African language, was born at the zoo to mum Penny and dad Nutmeg in June.

The new baby is a Chapman’s zebra - a subspecies of the plains zebra, native to the Africa savannah. Chapman’s zebra are distinguished by stripes on the lower halves of their legs which break up into many irregular brown spots. Dayo is likely to grow to around 350 kilos and 50 inches tall, which is around the same size as his dad.

Dayo will feed on his mother’s milk for up to a year, and will also start to eat grass and hay within the next few months.

Folly Farm zebra and giraffe keeper, Vicky Gittins, said: “We love having a new baby in the enclosure. Dayo is a real character - he already has his own personality and is quite strong willed. Baby zebras are usually quite timid and don’t leave their parents’ side for quite some time, but Dayo is really confident and has been running off from his mum exploring his new surroundings.

“Each morning the zebras leave their house and spend the rest of the day grazing in the large paddock they share with our bachelor herd of giraffes, Nile Lechwe (antelope) and Guinea Fowl.

“Dayo was a bit daunted by the giraffes to begin with because they’re so much taller than him, but he’s learning to follow his mum and move with the group of other zebras. As social animals, they live in harems and at Folly Farm we have one herd stallion which is Dayo’s dad as well as females, Ayah and Kanzi and mum Penny.

“His parents Penny and Nutmeg are really protective of him, so it’s a real privilege for them to allow me to get so close. I really love being a part of their lives, and they’re so comfortable with me being in the enclosure with them - Nutmeg even comes over to greet me from time to time.”

Vicky started working at Folly Farm in 2012 as a giraffe and zebra keeper, having previously worked with rhinos, giraffe and primates as well as gibbons and orangutans, at other UK zoos.

She continued: “I grew up near Chessington Zoo in Surrey and we visited a lot. I was always fascinated with the role of the zoo keepers and have always known I wanted to look after animals and give them the best possible care.

“I love zebras because they all have such distinct personalities, and each zebra’s stripes are unique to them, just like a human’s fingerprint.

“Dayo was born on June 1 and his mum’s birthday is June 5, I think it was the best birthday present she’s ever received.”

For more information and updates on the new additions at Folly farm visit www.folly-farm.co.uk.