ZOO keepers at a Hampshire animal park received a right royal surprise when twin giraffes were born in a one in 10,000 chance.
After a pregnancy lasting more than a year, 17-year-old giraffe Biffa caught zoo keepers at Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester, on the hop when she gave birth to a male and female set of twins.
In keeping with a Marwell tradition of giving giraffes royal names, the babies have been named Leo and Charlotte after twins Prince Leopold and Princess Charlotte of Nassau, born in 2000, who are both descendants of King George I.
But their future is not yet certain. While Biffa has shown maternal care to both Leo and Charlotte, baby Leo has had to be bottle-fed.
The pair were presented to the public today.
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