LONGLEAT Safari Park is celebrating a baby boom with five new arrivals born in the space of a week.

Among the new babies at the park is a rare Brazilian tapir, only the third to have been born at the park since it opened in 1966.

After a pregnancy lasting more than 15 months tapir mum Jessie gave birth to a 20lb baby girl last week.

The youngster will gain a pound in weight every day for the first year and could eventually weigh up to 600lbs.

Another new addition is a single lion cub, nicknamed Solo by staff. Normally lions have litters of up to six cubs but this is the second time that 18-year-old mum Amy has given birth to a single baby.

Nineteen-year-old zebra Pippa, gave birth to a baby in the East African Game Reserve, while veteran sea lion mother Sealia and first-time mum Coral both gave birth to pups who will soon learn to follow the boat for fish on Longleat's lake.

Deputy head keeper Ian Turner said: "Babies are always a good sign that the animals are happy and contented but to have so many different animals all born in such a short space of time is tremendous.

"It gives a real boost to the keepers and also provides some wonderful encounters for the visitors at what is our busiest time of year.

"It is unlikely the recent heatwave has had anything to do with the baby boom but it certainly has provided perfect conditions for them in their first few days."