Extremely rare new arrival at Devon zoo

A zoo in South Devon has announced the birth of a rare Owston's civet.

Rosie is the latest arrival at Shaldon Wildlife Trust.

An Owston's civet is a creature native to Asia, has a long nose, cat-like whiskers and slender mongoose body.

The birth is particularly special as the population in the world’s conservation breeding programme currently totals less than 20 animals.

Rosie was born by caesarean section - a world first, as never before have vets performed this surgery on a civet.

Mum Lam is not a good mother and so staff at the zoo had to take on parental duties.

It is still early days, but the whole team at the zoo are extremely excited for Rosie’s development, and her potential within the Owston’s civet breeding programme.

Visitors will have to wait a little longer to see Rosie at the zoo; she is expected to be in her new enclosure in a few weeks time.