Meet Womble, the newborn aardvark at Chester Zoo

A tiny aardvark calf is being cared for by conservationists at Chester Zoo after it became the second of its species to be born there.

Aardvarks are naturally nocturnal animals, so keepers have stepped in to help feed the baby through the night for several weeks while mother Oni is foraging for food.

Keepers have nicknamed the calf Womble, after the creatures from the children's books and TV show.

Aardvarks are native to sub-Saharan Africa, with the word 'aardvark' translating to 'earth pig' in Afrikaans.

Chester Zoo reports that in the wild aardvarks face significant threats from habitat loss because of agricultural development.

This can bring them into conflict with local farmers and they are also hunted.

Zookeeper Sophie Tyson has said that the team don't yet know whether the calf is male or female, as it's too young to tell.

She added: "Oni's new arrival is only the second aardvark to be born at the zoo in our 94-year history, so it's a really special addition for us all.

"Womble has gone from strength to strength and is doing brilliantly."