IT might not feel very spring-like at the moment, but the new arrivals have already starting appearing at one North Yorkshire attraction.

Staff at Flamingo Land have been busy caring for Melly, the first Brazilian tapir to be born at the zoo for more than 30 years.

Zoo administrator Sean Drayton said: "The staff have called her Melly because she looks like a fat little water melon on legs.

"She's only the third Tapir we have here - her mum and dad came in 2001 as new arrivals.

"The male, Woody, was from a private collection, and Melly's mum, Tiggy, came from Chessington."

Sean said Melly would be out and about on show in time for the 2003 tourist season.

The zoo reopens at the end of March.

Updated: 10:57 Saturday, January 04, 2003