The West Lothian Courier has teamed up with Blair Drummond Safari Park to offer readers the chance to win a family pass for two adults and two children each week - and learn a bit more about their residents at the same time.
The safari park has been experiencing a little bit of a baby boom in the park this summer.
And the month of July was particularly fruitful for its herd of Kudu.
The park’s communications and education manager Jamie-Leigh Green said: “On July 8, we welcomed a healthy baby boy named Kovu, and on July 31 we welcomed a second, with the birth of Houdini.
“Kovu and Houdini are both doing very well, and if you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of them playing in our African drive-thru reserve.
“The greater kudu is a woodland antelope that can be found throughout eastern and southern Africa.
“They are one of the largest antelopes and can weigh up to 270kg. The gruff bark they emit as an alarm call is one of the loudest sounds made by any antelope.
“One of the tallest and most striking antelopes, the greater kudu’s distinctive white back stripes are designed to camouflage it in the African bush. If threatened, a kudu will often stand perfectly still so it blends into its background and is difficult to spot. The kudu’s large, sensitive ears also help it to detect any threats.
“Rarely aggressive in the wild, the male kudu will only fight with opponents of the same size and age. Their spiralled horns allow them to spar by interlocking with another male. They then proceed to shove and twist until one opponent is knocked off balance. These contests don’t usually end in serious injury, though kudu remains have been found with horns interlocked, where two animals have been unable to separate!
“In South Africa, kudu dung-spitting (or Bokdrol Spoeg) is a traditional sport practised by the Afrikaner community. Contestants compete to see who can spit the small, hard dung pellets the farthest.
“The record currently sits at an impressive 15.56 metres!”
Blair Drummond Safari Park is open seven days a week from 10am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday with 7pm closures on selected Saturdays and Sundays throughout August. Tickets can be booked online at blairdrummond.com.
For a chance to win a family pass, which can be used any one day during the park’s opening season this year, just answer the following question: What is the current record for kudu dung-spitting?
Send the coupon with the answer, name, address and contact number to: Safari Park Competition, West Lothian Courier, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA. Deadline is Wednesday at 4pm. Only original vouchers will be accepted.
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