Vicuna Matata: Highland Wildlife Park welcomes second baby vicuna
Posted 2 Oct 2026
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed the birth of an adorable vicuna for the second time this year. The month-old male has been named Apu by keepers at Highland Wildlife Park meaning ‘a god of the mountains’ in the Quechua language of the Andes.
Born to parents Lino and Ozzy on Tuesday 1 September keepers at the wildlife conservation charity say the youngster is doing well and settling in with the herd. The birth itself was caught on camera by the park’s hoofstock keepers.
A baby vicuna is called a ‘cria’. Crias are born precocial meaning they can stand and walk within an hour of birth. Visitors to the park will be able to spot the cria exploring the drive-through reserve with mum close by.
Notes to Editors
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Hi-res video and images available: https://we.tl/t-9TKcGjOsu6KU1hEJ
Images and video free to use. Please credit RZSS
Notes to editors
Visitors can book park tickets online at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/tickets
A small herd of seven vicuna live at the park – Juanita, Ozzy, Austria, Kantu, Tupac and the new babies, female Xoco and male Apu
Vicuna crias typically weigh between four to six kilograms at birth
About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world which protects, values and loves nature
Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature, learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness our expertise in conservation science and animal care alongside the unique power of the RZSS family – our teams, supporters and partners – to save animals from extinction
RZSS received two award wins at the Scottish Thistle Awards 2025 – Climate Action Award for Edinburgh Zoo and Best Visitor Attraction for Highland Wildlife Park
