A BABY boom at Shepreth Wildlife Park has seen two new arrivals form an unlikely alliance. The baby mara and duckling were taken in by keepers after their parents rejected them. After a week of bonding the pair are now inseparable. Animal collection manag

A BABY boom at Shepreth Wildlife Park has seen two new arrivals form an unlikely alliance.

The baby mara and duckling were taken in by keepers after their parents rejected them. After a week of bonding the pair are now inseparable.

Animal collection manager Rebecca Willers said: "Unfortunately the mara was left for dead by its mother just two days after it was born.

"Its other two siblings are doing well in the group, it's just unfortunate this one couldn't survive without our intervention.

"We were surprised to see that one of the maras was pregnant so early on in the season.

"We usually do not expect to see baby maras until later in the year, in July."

The mara, which is a large rodent, and Pochard duckling were born just a day apart, and were taken to the park's hospital unit.

Head keeper Kat Lyon decided to try the odd pair together, as ducklings are dependent on company to survive.

Rebecca said: "Staff are feeding the mara every two hours, day and night.

"But despite the lack of sleep, we are pleased the two are doing so well in an unnatural environment.