COLCHESTER Zoo's resident bush dogs have added to their ever-growing family.

At the end of July two new pups were born to mum Nina and dad Nico.

The newborn pups are said to be doing very well and have started to venture outside to explore their enclosure, with their six older siblings.

A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said: "The pups will continue to stick close to mum but have already begun to venture outside. They are yet to be sexed or named but following tradition the names are likely to begin with Q.

"Bush dogs are a rare and unusual canid, with short legs, a short bushy tail, a rounded muzzle and ears, and webbed feet.

"The birth of the pups is extremely important to Colchester Zoo and the breeding programme as this species is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List."