Zoo keepers are mounting a 24-hour watch on a baby aardvark. Staff at Colchester Zoo in Essex say the new arrival – which has the length of a banana – and its mother have been moved to special “birthing burrow” to limit the risk of injury.

They say the baby – born on February 7 – will be named once vets have established its sex by taking a DNA test in about six months’ time.

“Mum and baby have been moved into the specially-built birthing burrow in order to allow a close bond to be formed between the two, and keep the baby protected from any accidental knocks or bumps from the other adult aardvarks,” said a spokesman.

“As newborn aardvarks are poor-sighted and often clumsy, the keepers have been taking turns to complete shifts sitting in with mother and baby to ensure that the baby is feeding well and is kept safe from any accidental injury.”