What a cutie! This little fellow is one of three rare fennec foxes which have been born at Drusillas Park in East Sussex.

The arrival of the cute canines is a real achievement; not only is this the first time that fennec foxes have been successfully bred at the zoo, they are also believed to be the first litter born in Europe in 2010 and the only surviving cubs in the UK since 2008.

The triplets, which are not yet named, were born on March 19 and are thriving under the watchful guidance of proud parents, Mali and Tabari. They have now taken their first steps and are just starting to explore the environment outside their nest box.

Zoo Manager, Sue Woodgate commented: “I am absolutely thrilled with the new arrivals. To successfully rear one fennec fox is an achievement; to rear three is truly exceptional.”

“Mali and Tabari have proved themselves to be natural parents. This, combined with the care and dedication of our keepers, has meant the three little foxes are healthy and growing stronger by the day.”

Mali and Tabari where introduced at Drusillas in November 2009, as part of a European breeding programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. These are the first cubs born to the couple at the zoo and staff are delighted.

Head Keeper, Mark Kenward added: “We are watching the behaviour of the group closely and documenting the cubs continued development. To observe these wonderful animals from birth is a huge privilege, which most keepers will never experience throughout their entire career.

“We hope to use the opportunity so that other zoos can benefit from what we have learnt.”

In the wild, fennec foxes inhabit the Sahara desert of North Africa, where they are threatened mainly due to hunting and the pet trade. They are the smallest member of the dog family and have distinctive oversized ears which can grow up to 15cms long.

The cubs have been bred as part of a European breeding programme, launched because of the significant mortality of newborns within this species.

Surviving cubs are few and far between, generally attributed to the sensitivity of the parents to any disturbance.