STAFF at Knowsley Safari are delighted by the adorable new additions at the park.

The Prescot attraction has kicked off the new year with two bouncing baby roan antelopes.

Big brother Kibali sprung into 2017 on New Year's Eve with his little sister following shortly behind on January 20.

With a decreasing population in the wild, the preservation of this and many other species is of high importance to conservationists across the safari and zoo community.

Jason Doherty, team leader, at Knowsley Safari Park, said: “Mum and calves are doing extremely well.

"We’re keeping an eye on the newest member to the herd and we’ll be naming her soon so keep an eye on our social media for updates.”

Roan antelopes can be found in savannas, primarily in West and Central Africa. The species has been eliminated from parts of its former home due to habitat loss resulting from human activity, such as agricultural expansion and new road and settlement construction.

Poaching has also taking its toll on the roan antelope with hunting outside of protected areas a persistent cause for concern.