 Wales’ famous rugby Grand Slam victory has been the inspiration behind naming newborn baby camel Grand Slam or Slammy for short. Born at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay on Monday 17 March – just two days after the victory against France that sealed the trophy – Grand Slam is the second baby born to mum and dad Lock and Flanka (named in the aftermath of Rugby World Cup 2003). Slammy is an extra big baby weighing in at 35 kilos and already over one and a half metres in height (5 feet) . His above average size leading to an early reluctance to stand meant that he has had to be initially bottle fed by keeper Claire Taylor until he becomes sufficiently confident to feed from mum Flanka and the Zoo’s vet has prescribed a daily physiotherapy programme to build up the strength in his legs – in training already! Whilst cute and cuddly at the moment, Grand Slam will eventually grow to be 2.4m (7 feet) and will weigh over ¾ of a tonne. Zoo Co- Director Chris Jackson said, “Everyone at the Zoo was thrilled by the Grand Slam victory on Saturday and the arrival of this beautiful new baby was the perfect opportunity for us to honour the team’s achievement. Camels are big, beautiful and delightfully smelly creatures – a bit like some rugby players! They grab respect and admiration from children and adults alike, and it is wonderful that we have a genuine Welsh baby for our visitors to admire.”
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