The pitter patter of tiny hooves has become a regular sound at the north’s biggest wildlife park as several species expand their families.
European bison calves, Himalayan tahr lambs, a Przewalski’s horse foal and red deer calves were all welcome additions to the Highland Wildlife Park collection over the summer.
There were big births from Europe’s largest land mammal, the European bison, with three new additions to the herd.
Each calf is a precious addition to the species which became extinct in the wild in 1927 and has been bred at the park since 1972.
Other births include a set of five Himalayan tahrs, including twins.
The park now has 18 of the goats, which are endangered in their native Nepal.
At the start of August, one of the park’s Przewalski’s horses gave birth to a sprightly filly.
Like the bison, this is a species that also became extinct in the wild.
It has since been reintroduced back to its former home in Mongolia and China, a reintroduction program which the park has been involved with since 1971.
the park’s large red deer herd of 46 welcomed the first of 16 new calves in late spring with the latest new arrival being born on June 30.
Unlike most of the other species in the park, there is a completely hands-off policy with the red deer and they are allowed to live as a wild herd.
Douglas Richardson, head of living collections for the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore said: “Because of the size and nature of the enclosures for these animals, we are able to maintain them in herds that mirror the wild.
“The annual crop of these babies is very gratifying for the animal staff as this level of success is a testament to the quality of their care.
“Visitors are able to observe the natural behaviours of this mix of rare and unusual hoofed animals from the comfort of their car in the main reserve, a unique wildlife viewing experience.”