Four rare oryx calves born at zoo

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Keepers at Chester Zoo have said the birth of four Scimitar-Horned Oryx calves will play a vital part in the conservation of the species.

The Scimitar-Horned Oryx is listed on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list as extinct in the wild.

The calves, which were all born between May and June, take the number of the species at the Cheshire zoo to 13.

Tim Rowlands, Assistant Curator of Higher Vertebrates, said they would eventually form new breeding herds.

He said: "These four oryx are very important as they will play a vital part in the conservation of the species.

"This is a new blood line and as they are all males they will eventually go on to form new breeding herds at other collections."

The youngster's coats are currently brown, their faces have white markings and they have small horns coming through.

Their horns will grow to about 3ft (1m) in length and will curve backwards.

All four calves were fathered by male oryx Ronnie, who came to the zoo last year.