The Curraghs Wildlife Park is delighted to announce the arrival of its newest animal attractions, male and female African Crested Porcupines that have been named Quills and Kate.
Kathleen Graham, General Manager said: ‘We are delighted to welcome two African Crested Porcupines to the Park in time for the school half term holidays. The couple were introduced to each other for the first time today (Friday) and we were delighted how well they got on. So well, the keepers have named them Quills and Kate! Porcupines are an excellent attraction for zoos because they are stunning with their black and white quills, making a great impression and quite a racket when they raise their quills and rattle them.’
‘The Park were really lucky to get ‘Kate’ as ‘Quills’ had been housed on his own, inside and off show since last October. We appealed to BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoo’s and Aquaria) and all UK zoos to identify a female to keep Quills company and thankfully Chester Zoo said that they had a few and could make one available to us. With assistance from the Steam Packet Company we brought her over to the Isle of Man yesterday on the Ben-My-Chree. They are both on show to the public in a newly refurbished enclosure and we are so happy that ‘Quill’ has found his ‘Kate’ just in time for Valentine’s day!’
Kathleen continued: ‘Next week will be the perfect time to meet Quills and Kate as they will be the main attractions for our Valentine’s themed event 12-14 February and the Park will be open all week during the half term holidays. Everyone is invited to make romantic enrichment gifts for the animals and learn about animal courtship on our walk, talk and feed tour. We also brought across a new breeding pair of Rheas and 3 Wood crested partridge (on show in the Bat exhibit), a big thank you to the Steam Packet company for helping us with all the animal moves.’
There are 29 species of Porcupine and the African Crested Porcupine also lives wild in Italy as it is believed that it was possibly introduced there by the Romans. Porcupines are Rodents and herbivores but are known to collect bones to sharpen their teeth and possibly to obtain calcium to help in the production of their quills. When under threat the quills are excellent defence as they run backwards towards their threat or potential predator. Even lions have been known to end up with a face full of quills!
The Curraghs Wildlife Park is currently open during weekends and school holidays from 10am to 4pm with a later closing of 6pm from the Easter holidays onwards. For more information about the Curraghs Wildlife Park call 897323.
Photo - Quills and Kate at the Curraghs Wildlife Park
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