Chester Zoo, one of the UK’s most renowned wildlife institutions, is celebrating a rare and heartwarming milestone: the birth and thriving early days of a baby aardvark, affectionately nicknamed Womble. This unusual arrival, announced on May 20, 2026, marks only the second time in the zoo’s 94-year history that an aardvark has been born on its grounds, according to ITV News and several other media outlets. The event has drawn attention not just for its rarity but also for the extraordinary care and dedication shown by the zoo’s staff, especially zookeeper Sophie Tyson, in ensuring the calf’s survival.
Womble was born on April 3, 2026, to mother Oni and father Koos. While the calf was healthy at birth, a challenge quickly emerged: Oni, a 13-year-old aardvark, was not producing enough milk to fully support her newborn. Given the aardvark’s nocturnal habits—sleeping during the day and foraging at night—this presented a unique caregiving hurdle for the Chester Zoo team. As reported by BBC and Mogaz, zookeepers, led by Tyson, stepped in to provide round-the-clock bottle feeds of warm milk every few hours throughout the night for several weeks. Tyson explained, “For the first few weeks, we placed the youngster into a cosy incubator each evening and it was bottle-fed warm milk every few hours throughout the night before being carefully reunited back with mum each morning.”
The calf’s early days were spent in this carefully controlled environment, with keepers monitoring its health and progress. Each morning, after a night of attentive bottle feeding, Womble was reunited with Oni, reinforcing the critical mother-calf bond. Tyson, describing the emotional impact of the experience, said, “Oni’s new arrival is only the second aardvark to be born at the zoo in our 94-year history, so it’s a really special addition for us all.”
At present, the calf’s sex remains unknown—Womble is still too young for keepers to determine whether it’s male or female. However, the nickname has stuck, inspired by the calf’s distinctive giant ears, long snout, and playful personality. Tyson noted, “With the calf’s giant ears, long snout and playful personality, we think it’s the perfect fit for the time being.” The name ‘Womble’ is a nod to the beloved creatures from children’s literature and television, known for their resourcefulness and quirky charm.
After several weeks of intensive care and supplementary feeding, Womble has gone from strength to strength. The young aardvark now lives full-time with Oni, and the mother-calf pair can often be seen snuggled up side by side—a sight that brings joy to staff and visitors alike. Tyson expressed her delight at the calf’s progress, stating, “Womble has gone from strength to strength and is doing brilliantly, so now lives full-time back with mum Oni—and it’s wonderful to see them snuggled up side-by-side together.”
Womble’s birth is not only a cause for celebration at Chester Zoo but also holds significance for international conservation efforts. According to Chester Zoo’s official statements and coverage from ITV News, the calf is the only aardvark born in the UK since 2024. Globally, aardvarks are a rare sight in captivity, with just 68 individuals in European zoos and only 114 worldwide. This makes Chester Zoo one of a select few organizations with the expertise and resources to care for the species, highlighting the importance of their breeding and husbandry programs.
Aardvarks are native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they play a unique ecological role. Their long snouts and heightened sense of smell allow them to sniff out their favorite foods—termites and ants—while their large, powerful claws are perfectly adapted for digging. Once an insect nest is located, the aardvark’s tongue, which can stretch up to 25 centimeters, is used to lap up large numbers of bugs with remarkable speed. Despite their pig-like appearance, aardvarks are not closely related to pigs, anteaters, or armadillos. The name ‘aardvark’ itself comes from Afrikaans, meaning ‘earth pig,’ a nod to their burrowing lifestyle.
In the wild, aardvarks face mounting threats. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion often brings them into conflict with local farmers, and they are hunted for their meat. As the BBC and other sources note, these pressures have contributed to their rarity both in their native habitats and in zoos worldwide. The successful birth and early nurturing of Womble at Chester Zoo is therefore a small but meaningful victory for a species under pressure.
Beyond the scientific and conservation value, Womble’s story is a testament to the dedication of zookeepers and the often unseen work that goes into caring for vulnerable animals. Tyson and her colleagues maintained a strict routine, placing Womble in a warm incubator each evening and providing bottle feeds throughout the night. This hands-on approach, coupled with careful monitoring and gradual reintegration with Oni, has given the calf the best possible start in life.
For visitors and supporters of Chester Zoo, the arrival of Womble offers a rare opportunity to witness the early life of a species that remains mysterious and elusive even in its native Africa. The zoo hopes that stories like Womble’s can inspire greater awareness of the challenges facing wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts both in captivity and in the wild.
As Womble continues to grow and explore its surroundings, Chester Zoo’s staff remain vigilant and optimistic. The calf’s journey from a fragile newborn requiring round-the-clock care to a thriving youngster reunited with its mother is a reminder of the resilience of nature—and the crucial role that human intervention can play in preserving it. For now, Womble’s playful antics and distinctive features are stealing hearts, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of aardvarks everywhere.