This week we celebrated International Ungulate Awareness Day so I thought this would be a good opportunity to raise their profile and introduce you to the Ungulate species we have at Wingham. I’ve also asked the Mammal keepers to try describe each animals personalities, so lets see if it matches up to their star signs!
Ungulates account for the vast majority of large herbivores currently on earth. Their influence stretches across nearly every biome. With the help from humans, ungulates have expanded into nearly every corner of the globe.
With over 215 different ungulates species in the world each one of these species plays a vital role in its ecosystem. Sadly, 43% of these species are on the IUCN Red List. If these species go extinct in the wild, the food chain will be completely disrupted, causing more species to become extinct.
Rothschild Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. rothschildi
Rothchild giraffes can be found in Uganda and Kenya in Africa. Their conservation status is currently listed as Near Threatened.
Ruedi
- Star sign: Cancer
- Personality: Father figure, cautious and greedy
Robin
- Star sign: Cancer
- Personality: Destructive, nosy and a puppy that is a size of a giraffe
George
- Star sign: Gemini
- Personality: Teenager vibes, confident and handsome
Henry
- Star sign: Leo
- Personality: Cheeky, acts like a shadow and an attention seeker
Blesbok, Damaliscus pygargus
Blesbok are found in South Africa and their conservation status is currently listed as Least Concern.
Jerky
- Star sign: Leo
- Personality: Pushover, nutcase and sass
Aurora
- Star sign: Taurus
- Personality: Energetic, anxious and acts like a sheep (follows Jerky)
Visayan Warty Pigs, Sus cebifrons
Visayan warty pigs are native to the Philippines. Sadly, their current conservation status is Critically Endangered.
Maximus
- Star sign: Capricorn
- Personality: Confident but when it comes to it he is all mouth and no trousers, loves an egg
Achilles
- Star sign: Capricorn
- Personality: Shy, can be adventurous but has a naughty side
Black Fallow Deer, Dama dama
Black fallow deer can be found in the UK and their current conservation status is Least Concern.
Reggie
- Star sign: Cancer
- Personality: Excitable, naughty and cheeky
Lowland Tapir, Tapirus terrestris
Lowland tapirs are native to Northern and central South America. The specific countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia and Ecuador. They are currently listed as Vulnerable to extinction.
Nando
Star sign: Virgo
Personality: Big softy, cheeky and a massive attention seeker
Kathleen
Star Sign: Capricorn
Personality: Princess vibes with a lot of sass
African Pygmy Goats, Capra aegagrus hircus
African pygmy goats are native to West African and they are a domesticated breed. As a result, their conservation status is Not Evaluated.
Sally
Star sign: Aquarius
Personality: Kind and loves a scratch
Eilene
Star sign: Aries
Personality: Bossy
