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Howletts near Canterbury releases photos of baby rhino chasing ducks

There's nothing like a good animal photo to cheer you up if you've had a long week.

Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, has released some adorable photos of a baby rhino chasing ducks.

This baby rhino looks like he's having fun. Picture: Howletts Wild Animal Park
This baby rhino looks like he's having fun. Picture: Howletts Wild Animal Park

In one of the snaps, the cute calf can be seen galloping along behind a male mallard, who luckily, has the power of flight on his side.

Don't worry though, we've been assured the birds were not caught and still remain at large.

This comes after bosses at the Apinall Foundations, which owns Howletts and Port Lympne, revealed earlier this week that they have secured a vital £2 million loan from the bank, so their animals can continue to be fed and looked after during lockdown.

The foundation was on an upward financial trajectory at the start of the year, and then with both zoos closing their gates in March, they have had to rely on donations from the public to meet hefty food and maintenance bills.

Now, however, the foundation - which is continuing to ask for donations - has secured a seven-figure coronavirus business interruption loan from Barclays.

The ducks were too flighty for this little guy. Picture: Howletts Wild Animal Park
The ducks were too flighty for this little guy. Picture: Howletts Wild Animal Park

The bank says without its support the popular parks' finances would have been run dry due to the complete loss of ticket and accommodation sales.

The two wildlife parks are also hoping to reopen "in the very near future", as staff say all visitors will be able to social distance themselves and adhere to the two-metre rule.

They are acting in "anticipation of the government’s relaxation of lockdown measures" and believe a staggered reopening will help recover the significant income lost during the closures.

Howletts are still asking for donations - you can support its rhinos by sending them a 'virtual care package', with a donation of £10 feeding one of these chubby unicorns for a day. To donate, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury

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