In pictures: Animal baby boom at Palestinian zoo closed by coronavirus

Fifteen animals were born at the tiny Qalqiliya Zoo in the occupied West Bank during the two months that it shut its doors to visitors - three times more than usual, zoo officials said (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

"The coronavirus spread at the same time that trips were expected at the zoo. They were cancelled and therefore the animals started to give birth," said zoo veterinarian Sami Khader (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

An ostrich that laid eggs in normal years rarely had the chance to incubate them properly. But this year she produced 11 eggs and "because there weren't people around her, she was able to build a nest", said Khader (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

In the monkey enclosure, usually bedevilled by miscarriages, one baboon gave birth, although she had little inclination to take care of the baby. "My father had to bring him to our house," said Khader's daughter, Hind. "I took care of him and gave him milk" (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

The zoo reopened in late May as Palestinian officials eased Covid-19 restrictions (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

Now zoo managers hope the newborn attractions will be enough of a draw to compensate for 200,000 lost visitors (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta)

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.