Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World welcomed their cutest new arrival on November 21, when resident Mediterranean miniature micro donkey, Sammy, gave birth to her first foal.

General manager, Verena Olesch, said after a 14 month pregnancy, they were very happy to see the little male foal finally arrive.

“The parents, Sammy and Comet are very much loved by our visitors, and there has been an enormous amount of interest in this adorable little baby,” she said.

Sammy and Comet are Mediterranean miniature micro donkeys who came to Maleny Botanic Gardens two years ago when the award-winning attraction established its Farm Friends enclosures to house farm animals.

“As far as we know there aren’t any other Mediterranean miniature, let alone micro, donkeys on the Sunshine Coast,” Verena said.

“That makes this little boy even more special.”

Yet to be named, the task of naming the new addition will be left to the public. 

“To celebrate this special birth, we are inviting the public to enter a competition to name the foal,” she said.

Along with Sammy, Comet and baby, visitors can also interact with miniature goats, baby-doll sheep, and lots of chicken and roosters.

“To be able to get close to baby animals in our Farm Friends enclosure is wonderful for people of all ages,” Verena said.

The farm shed is also home to rescue guinea pigs and rabbits. 

“You can interact with these cuties at certain times during the day, and our animals love being fed pieces of fruit and veggies. 

“We have a special exhibition license to display our rabbits, which have come to us through the RSPCA, since rabbits are classified as a pest in Queensland and cannot be held as pets.”

With the school holidays almost upon us, Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is a fabulous place to take the kids.

You can pack a picnic and soak up the stunning gardens and views, visit the birds in the incredible aviaries, or spend time with the Farm Friends.

“Because we have our fabulous electric golf buggies to transport our visitors around the gardens, it means that people with mobility issues, walkers, wheelchairs and prams are not excluded from enjoying this beautiful place,” Verena said.

The attraction is open 7 days from 9am to 4.30pm. It is at 233 Maleny Stanley River Road, Wootha. To find out more, go to www.malenybotanicgardens.com.au