Telford zoo babies stealing limelight

These two baby genets have been born at the Exotic Zoo in Priorslee to parents Samba and Kanu.

Genets are slender cat-like animals with a long body, a long ringed tail, large ears, a pointed muzzle and partly retractile claws.

They live in Africa and parts of Europe and eat small rodents, insects and fruit, but they are also hunted for their fur.

Scott Adams, who owns the zoo, said: "We've got a pair of genets at the zoo.

"They are a popular little animal and we expect their babies will be very popular with visitors as well.

"All the staff have fallen in love with them.

"They are very cat like, they move and even purr like cats.

"They have beautiful markings and spend their lives living in trees so they use their long tails for balance.

"One of the plights in the wild is that people hunt them for their fur.

"It is important that zoos are representing these animals, they are helping us to educate people about them and the problems they face in the wild."

Scott says the two new arrivals have yet to be given names as it is difficult to tell the sex of a genet when it is a baby.

But he says that visitors will have plenty of opportunities to see them in the coming weeks.

He said: "They are just at the age where they are going to be out and about.

"Over the next couple of weeks people will get chance to see them."

He added: "We're having a really good summer at the zoo. It's been a bit of a baby boom."

Baby meerkats and chameleons have also been born at the popular attraction this year.

Genets are highly agile, have quick reflexes and exceptional climbing skills.

They live on the ground, but also spend much of their time in trees.