Mum’s the word at Twycross Zoo

from elsewhere.

Lib Dem borough and county councillor David Bill is dismayed at the lack of support. He said: “To anyone who has to drive in and around Hinckley it has been painfully obvious for years that improvements are needed to the major junctions.

“As we have near gridlock at peak times on the main roads in and out of the town and indeed in the centre of town, MUMS can get free entry to Twycross Zoo this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Talks by zoo keepers will also offer a unique perspective on the mothering behaviour of animals towards their little ones on Saturday and Sunday.

Twycross Zoo is the proud home to many successful animal mothers, starting with first time mum Kianga, who just celebrated her son Móko’s first birthday. With first-class care from his mother, the bonobo boy is getting more and more independent, joining in the games with his older friends Ndeko and Mokonzi. Another mum from the great apes family who recently gave birth is Ozala, who produced a healthy and strong gorilla baby in September last year.

However, the spotlight among the zoo’s animal mothers last year was on what provision will now be made to handle the existing traffic and the additional traffic which can be expected given the development of more housing, particularly off the A47.”

Leicestershire County Council wanted to spend £15.5 million - with £11.9 million sought from the Government - on the Hinckley zone four scheme, a culmination of a series of infrastructure projects designed to Kristen, who gave birth to her second pair of cubs, bringing hope for the survival of the critically endangered Amur leopard species. The two lively cubs, girls Kira and Samara, can often be seen around their habitat, exploring the environment and developing their hunting skills through play.

Dr Charlotte Macdonald, director of life sciences said: “We love celebrating Mother’s Day here at Twycross Zoo. It gives us a great opportunity to look at the past year and the breeding successes of our amazing animal mums.”

To claim free entry mums only need attend the zoo with another fee paying adult or a child.

Starting this weekend, from Saturday March 25 Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 6pm every day for the duration of the summer.