IT seems the animals at Marwell Zoo near Winchester have been a bit confused by the recent spell of April showers.

Visitors to the popular tourist attraction will see several new babies born within the past month, some two months after the traditional spring arrivals.

Just last week the Daily Echo was called in to photograph a baby gemsbok antelope called Harriet who was delivered by emergency Caesarean section by one of the park's vets after her mum got into trouble during the birth.

However, as well as the rare gemsbok, otherwise known as oryx antelope, there are several other new arrivals at the park, which has a world-renowned reputation for its breeding programmes for endangered animals.

This week saw the arrival of another gemsbok, to proud parents Jester and Nicolaas, while Grevy's zebra parents Imogen and Bart welcomed a new foal called Milly into the world last Friday.

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Marwell's ostriches have also been busy with four chicks hatching within the past month to dad Boomer.