EDINBURGH Zoo have shared the first photos of an antelope calf born to parents Arnold and Arya on Tuesday January 3.

Expert vets at the wildlife conservation charity confirmed the youngster was female and that she was later named Yara by keepers.

Staff say the lowland nyala calf is growing in confidence every day and can be spotted exploring her enclosure with her mum by her side.

The National: Yara was born in early JanuaryYara was born in early January (Image: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland)

Lowland nyala is a species of antelope native to south-eastern Africa, where they live in dense forest and woodlands.

The Zoo is home to a herd of four lowland nyala – Poppy, Arnold, Arya and Yara. Poppy was born in 2018 while parents Arnold and Arya moved to Edinburgh from Newquay Zoo in 2022.

READ MORE: Edinburgh Zoo to celebrate season of love with Valentine's Day events​

In the past, the species disappeared from much of their range due to habitat loss.

Fortunately, effective habitat protection, species management and re-introductions have helped wild populations of nyala bounce back.