Africa Alive welcomes Europe’s only bat-eared fox kits born this year!

Africa Alive is celebrating the birth of three incredibly special Bat-eared fox kits – believed to be the only Bat-eared foxes born in European zoos in 2026.

The kits were born on 29th April to parents Vuko and Vysoke, who are currently the only breeding pair of Bat-eared foxes in the UK, making the births a hugely significant milestone for the species’ European breeding programme.

The arrival also marks the first Bat-eared fox births at Africa Alive in nearly two decades, with the last kits born at the zoo in 2007.

Animal keepers discovered the kits safely tucked away inside the family’s den during morning checks and immediately reduced all disturbance to allow the new family the best possible start. For the first several days, the team monitored the kits carefully from a distance, only later installing a discreet camera trap to capture the youngsters emerging from the den for the first time.

Since then, the trio have slowly started exploring more of their habitat, although keepers say the kits are still building confidence, often venturing only a few steps outside before retreating back to safety.

The proud parents have both played an important role in raising the kits. Dad Vuko, who arrived from Exmoor Zoo in 2024, has taken on much of the overnight parenting duties, while mum Vysoke, who arrived from Bratislava Zoo last year, focuses on feeding and protecting the youngsters.

Bat-eared foxes are a relatively uncommon species within European zoological collections, making these births particularly important for the future sustainability of the population. Africa Alive’s pair are part of a carefully managed international breeding programme designed to support healthy and genetically diverse populations.

Ross Snipp, Zoological Director at Africa Alive, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these incredibly important Bat-eared fox kits. Not only are Vuko and Vysoke currently the only breeding pair in the UK, but these are also believed to be the only Bat-eared fox kits born anywhere in Europe this year, which makes this a hugely significant conservation success.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to provide the quiet and stability the family needed during those critical first weeks, and it has been fantastic watching the kits gradually grow in confidence and begin exploring their habitat.

“These births are an important contribution to the long-term future of the species within European zoological collections, and we’re incredibly proud to be playing such a key role.”