Highland Wildlife Park has released charming images of its newest arrival, a baby female vicuña named Xoco, born last month. Keepers at the Kincraig site confirmed that Xoco, whose name means "little sister" or "the youngest child" in Nahuatl, was born on 18 June 2026 to parents Juanita and Austria. The month-old cria is reportedly thriving and has integrated well with the park's small herd.
Vicuñas are the smallest members of the camel family, closely related to llamas and alpacas. They are native to the high alpine regions of the Andes Mountains in South America, where they are adapted to harsh, high-altitude environments. The Highland Wildlife Park currently houses a small herd of six vicuñas, including Xoco, Juanita, Ozzy, Austria, Kantu, and Tupac.
The birth of Xoco marks another success for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which oversees Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo. The RZSS has been experiencing a notable "baby boom" across its facilities recently. This includes the birth of two rare snow leopard cubs at Highland Wildlife Park, as well as Himalayan monals and red deer.
Further south, Edinburgh Zoo has also welcomed new arrivals, including Bru the capybara, Snoot the giant armadillo, and Atty the sloth. These births underscore the RZSS's commitment to conservation efforts and breeding programmes for various species, both native and exotic. Such successes are vital for maintaining genetic diversity within captive populations and raising public awareness about these animals.
The arrival of Xoco provides an opportunity for visitors to observe the early development of a vicuña and learn more about this unique species. Her integration into the existing herd is a positive sign for her continued health and development, contributing to the park's broader mission of wildlife conservation and education.