Baby wallaby and giant pelicans thrill bird centre visitors

Jul 16 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

NEW furry and feathered arrivals are causing a stir at a Northumberland animal centre.

A newborn wallaby that has just made its first appearance has been wowing visitors to the Kielder Birds of Prey Centre. And it has been joined at the centre by two great white pelicans, each standing 5ft tall.

The wallaby, the first to be bred at the centre, popped its head out of its mother’s pouch for the first time at the weekend, while the giant hand-reared birds have also been making their presence felt.

Centre owner Ray Lowden said the new arrivals had proved a big hit with visitors.

He said: “The two pelicans have been following me around.

“They are a first for the North East – they were bred in Germany and then we imported them and hand-reared them.

“They are about four months old and are absolutely huge. They are just breathtaking and the response we have had from visitors has been phenomenal.”

It will be six weeks before the baby wallaby, gender unknown at the moment, takes its first tentative hops out of its mother’s pouch, although some lucky visitors have already caught a glimpse of its head.

Mr Lowden said: “People do breed wallabies, but it is a first for Kielder and we are hoping there will be more.”

For information on opening times for the centre, telephone (01434) 250400.