Harewood Welcomes New Baby Donkey Into The Fold

Lady, Harewood’s female donkey, gave birth unaided last night to a new foal. The latest arrival is Lady’s first baby and both mum and baby are doing well.

The gestation period for donkeys is twelve months so when Lady arrived at Harewood in August 2016 she was already pregnant.

Nick Dowling, Bird Garden and Farm Experience Manager said: “We began to notice that Lady was widening a few months ago. At first we considered she may be gaining weight however it soon became evident that she was pregnant – much to our surprise!”

“We’re really pleased to have this latest addition in the Farm. Lady is doing all the right things and is showing signs of being a fantastic mother.”

“At the moment we are leaving mum and baby to bond. We suspect that the new baby is female although this is yet to be officially established. Once we confirm the sex, we will name the latest arrival.”

At birth, foals usually weigh between 19 and 30 lbs. (8.6 to 13.6 kg) and can stand and nurse after just 30 minutes. Harewood keepers are keeping a close eye on the new baby ensuring both Lady and the new addition are getting the best care around the clock.

Visitors to Harewood will be able to see the newborn in the Farm this weekend.

–          Harewood Farm Experience was opened in 2016.

–          The Farm Experience has three donkey’s Lady, Max and the new arrival. Also in the Farm are two potbellied pigs, two alpaca, eight pygmy goats, rabbits and guinea pigs

–          Harewood House Trust is an educational charitable trust set up to preserve and protect Harewood’s collection for the future.

VICTORIAN HAREWOOD, 24th March – 29th October 2017

–        Harewood House was recently used as a major set for ITV’s Victoria series. To celebrate the success of the programme, the 2017 season will see the opulent rooms on Harewood’s State Floor come to life with costumes from the programme. Outfits worn by Jenna Coleman who plays Queen Victoria will be displayed between March and October 2017.

–        Alongside the costumes, visitors will be able to explore this fascinating age through the eyes of three influential women. Lady Louisa, 3rd Countess of Harewood, Lady Charlotte Canning and Queen Victoria herself. Visitors will be able to see personal objects owned by Queen Victoria and her Lady in Waiting, Charlotte, alongside rarely displayed archive material which will show how Lady Louisa altered the very fabric of Harewood House in a grand redevelopment.

Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds, LS17 9LG
Open 24th March – 29th October 2017
www.harewood.org
0113 218 1000
Twitter: @harewoodhouse

Facebook: www.facebook.com/harewoodhouse/

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

For all enquiries, please contact Alexis Guntrip on: 07967 223 691, alexis.g@harewood.org