Heart-warming moment lockdown babies became best friends forever at Chester Zoo

When friends Kerry and Elti both discovered they were expecting babies within a month of each other they imagined their daughters would be best friend forever.

Baby Ivy-Rose was born at the end of November 2019 and little Wynter dramatically came into the world by caesarian section on Christmas Day.

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

However, for both little girls, the formative months of their lives have been in lockdown and until this month they were unable to meet.

The new mums kept in touch via phone and online, sharing tips and advice, but they were unable to arrange to meet due to lockdown restrictions.

The little girls both had lots in common - they both loved Hey Duggee and Peppa Pig, enjoyed drawing on walls and bopping to Cardi B, and were dedicated to finding how many of mummy's belongings are flushable.

• MORE: Chester Zoo reopens its gates to public after Covid lockdown

Both Ivy and Wynter celebrated their first birthdays and Christmas in lockdown.

But this month, with lockdown restrictions easing in both England and Wales, the BBFs were able to meet for the first time.

They both enjoyed the zoo, and were amazed to watch swimming penguins and sleeping lions.

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

As with most visits to the zoo in Chester, the first stop was the Hi Way family of Asian elephants.

Both girls pointed with excitement at the elephants.

• WATCH: Chester Zoo celebrates birth of rare red-bellied lemur

As the day went on, the pair got closer, finding they had more in common than just names that make them sound like Batman villains.

Their favourite zoo activities turned out to be following ducks, dancing in front of flamingos, pointing at lemurs, eating chips, and climbing on top of things.

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

Both Kerry and Elti were delighted that their little ones got on and were relieved that with the increasing return of freedoms they and their children would be able to socialise more.

Elti said: "It felt like I knew Ivy already because it's been so long coming and we've spoken on the phone so often. But it was so heart-warming to see them finally meet and get together. With them being only a month apart its going to be so good for them to have each other."

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

Kerry added: "It's been hard for children in lockdown, you can't keep them wrapped in cotton wool, they need to get out and socialise. It's been hard for her, she's not had the same chances to meet other children and socialise.

"To see Ivy with Wynter today was amazing. It was so nice to see them together. Their faces lit up when they saw each other."

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

Lockdown isn't over. And a visit to the 128-acre zoo, which is home to more than 20,000 animals and 500 different species, isn't the same as during "normal" times.

Wynter and Ivy weren't the only youngsters at Chester Zoo. There have been lots of recent arrivals that visitors can meet for the first time - including an okapi and giraffe born in lockdown (see below).

Some of the inside exhibitions are closed, there are markings on the ground to ensure social distancing, and friendly staff are positioned throughout the grounds to keep everyone safe.

Overall, you feel safer roaming the zoo than, for example, a town centre or supermarket.

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

Kerry said: "I've felt really safe here. You are sort of marshalled bit by bit through the busier parts and different sections, it's been really good.

"Plenty of hand sanitiser around too!"

Ivy-Rose and Wynter, with mums Kerry and Elti, at Chester Zoo.

More importantly for Ivy-Rose and Wynter, outdoor food and drink kiosks and the zoo’s gift shop are open.

Both girls enjoyed fish and chips and fruit juice before raiding the gift shop. Both left with a selection of their favourite animals in plushy form, including and elephant for Ivy and a bat for Wynter, to snugglre up with on their respective car rides home.

Wynter tired out after a day at Chester Zoo.

• All tickets (of which there will be a limited number) for Chester must be booked in advance.

For full details and to book tickets visit the zoo’s website: www.chesterzoo.org/faq-new/

Chester Zoo.

New babies at Chester Zoo:

• The zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare red-bellied lemur – the first of its kind ever to be born there.

Chester Zoo celebrates birth of rare red-bellied lemur

The fluffy youngster, whose sex is currently unknown, arrived to parents Aina (four) and Frej (eight) following a 127-day pregnancy.

The new baby was born around six weeks ago but keepers say the precious primate was so small and hidden in among mum’s thick fur that only now is it starting to become more visible.

• A Rothschild's giraffe calf named Albert was born in lockdown at the zoo.

Three-week-old Rothschild's giraffe calf Albert, born in lockdown, strides out at Chester Zoo.

The leggy new arrival arrived to mum Orla in early March, landing onto soft straw from a height of around 2m (6.5ft).

Already standing at 6ft tall and weighing 70kg, giraffe experts say Albert will grow to be 18ft and weigh over 1000kg.

• Endangered okapi calf Nia Nia was also born during lockdown.

Rare okapi born during lockdown at Chester Zoo.

The female calf, born to mum K’tusha (7) and dad Stomp (17), arrived safely following a 14-month-long pregnancy.

CCTV cameras at the zoo captured the calf’s first wobbly steps as she was gently encouraged to her feet by mum, shortly after birth. Now, the shy new arrival has stepped outside for the first time after spending the first few weeks of life snuggled up in a cosy nest.

• Critically endangered eastern black rhino Kasulu is growing fast.

Critically endangered eastern black rhino calf, Kasulu, charges out alongside mum Ema Elsa at Chester Zoo.

delivered by new mum Ema Elsa following a 15-month-long pregnancy.

Following the female calf's birth, a poll was launched on the city attraction's Facebook page, inviting the public to help name the precious new arrival.

Keepers had shortlisted the names Kasulu (a town in Tanzania), Koshi (meaning ‘to try’) and Kaari (meaning ‘young girl/young daughter’) for voters to choose from.

More than 70,000 votes were cast and the baby rhino was officially named Kasulu.