A rare giraffe zebra hybrid has been born at Chester Zoo, and cameras have captured the adorable new calf venturing outside for the very first time.
Conservationists at the UK’s biggest charity zoo say they are “celebrating” the arrival of a new Okapi calf – which is a “highly endangered” rare animal, also known as the forest giraffe – named Arabi, who was born to mum K’tusha and dad Stomp a couple of months back on 12 May.
Only scientifically discovered in 1901, and often referred to as the ‘forest giraffe’ because the species is only living relative of the long-necked animal, okapis are known for the elusive nature, and live in the dense rainforests of their native Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa – where it’s estimated that as few as 10,000 could remain.
The species is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Zookeepers say they chose to name the newborn Arabi after a village located in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the DRC.
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A rare giraffe zebra hybrid has been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo and its partners in the DRC have been working hard to support the last remaining populations of okapi.
Commercial logging, open-cast mining, agriculture, and human settlement has resulted in the loss of the okapi’s habitat in the wild, which conservationists say can limit their access to food and water sources.
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The rare animals are sadly also hunted for their meat, while their skins are highly valued on the illegal wildlife trade.
Of the 14 okapi living in conservation zoos in the UK, six are being cared for by experts at Chester Zoo as part of the endangered species breeding programme.
Arabi’s arrival is a “vital” part of the global population, zookeepers say.
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Since her arrival into the world, Arabi has since been snuggled up in a nest in a behind-the-scenes area at Chester Zoo but now, at just six-weeks-old, the leggy newcomer has decided to kick up her heels and take her first steps following some gentle encouragement from her mum – with the calf’s first steps being captured on camera and shared on social media.
“Since being born just six weeks ago, Arabi has been bonding closely with mum K’tusha while snuggled away in her nest,” explained Hannah Owens – an okapi keeper at Chester Zoo.
“Mum has been doing a fantastic job of feeding and nurturing her calf every day, and now that she has a little more confidence, Arabi decided it was time to explore the outside world.
“It didn’t take long before she was confidently stretching her legs in the sunshine.”
The zoo says the species is ‘highly endangered’ / Credit: Chester Zoo
Giving a little more insight into just how important Arabi’s birth is to her species, Hannah continued: “Okapis are one of the least known and understood species on the planet, so every birth is incredibly special indeed.
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“This energetic little calf is already showing lots of personality.
“It’s going to be a real privilege to watch her grow and become a vital part of the global population of her species.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Featured Image – Greggs (Supplied)
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A Greater Manchester neighbourhood has been named one of the ‘coolest’ in the UK
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood in Great Manchester has been crowned one of the coolest in the country – and this time, it’s not Ancoats.
Every year, we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods have made the cut in Time Out’s annual ranking of the coolest places in the world.
But, as it turns out, Britain is just so damn cool that we’ve earned a list of our own.
In its latest guide, ’11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK’, Time Out has rounded up the places across the country that are really making a name for themselves.
Images: The Manc
And one neighbourhood here in Greater Manchester has made the cut, and although you’d immediately think of Ancoats that has made its way to similar lists before, this time there’s a newbie on the block.
Coming in at a very respectable fourth place, Stockport and the Underbanks received a glowing report in the coveted list.
Images: The Manc
Are we surprised? Not one bit.
We love Stockport for its flourishing food scene, cool community vibe and ever-growing roster of independent businesses – not to mention its brilliant mix of old-school charm and new-school cool.
It’s a place that feels like it’s constantly evolving, without losing the character that made people fall in love with it in the first place. And clearly, Time Out agrees.
Images: The Manc
Kyle MacNeill, contributing writer, said: “If you live anywhere near Manchester, you may have heard this one on the rumour mill: ‘Stockport is The New Berlin’. It’s a gag, alright: the humble market town hasn’t got a club, let alone the most hedonistic nightlife scene in the world. But it is true that SK is rapidly becoming the place-to-move-to for the Second City’s creatives, thanks to cheaper rent and some serious suburban tenacity.
“The Underbanks, a cobbled high street once home to hat-makers and hosiers, has been transformed into a bustling hub of forward-thinking vendors, while various local institutions have embraced Euro-style cafe culture, midcentury decor, sustainable fine-dining, small plates snacking and chic drinking dens. All of which, actually, come to think of it, is very Berlin… “
High praise indeed, you can read the full list of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2023 
