iN PHOTOS: Animal moms and spring babies in Kamloops, Okanagan

Spring has sprung in Kamloops and the Okanagan, and local farms and ranches are welcoming new life.

Precious moments between livestock mothers and babies were captured in March, while they cuddled in quiet, straw filled pens or explored pastures side by side.

This photo collection includes cows, sheep, goats and a feisty mother duck. All these creatures have special ways to bond with their new babies.

Mother cows groom their calves for hours and as the babies reach adulthood they will groom each other. Even as adults, the babies stay close to their moms for protection, but as they age the connection becomes companionship, according to Farm Sanctuary.

A cow nuzzles her new baby at Seven O Ranch near Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Seven O Ranch

Sheep mothers have a guttural call they use with their babies that tells them to come back or beware of danger. The lambs can recognize the distinct call of its mother. Sheep are flock animals and stay close to their relatives.

Goat moms have lifelong connections with their kids and left to their own devices will stay with them for life. Goats can recognize their kids even after long periods of separation.

Duck moms are known to be fiercely protective of their young and will chase away larger waterfowl and other animals who come near their them.

Do you have photos of newborn farm babies? Please send them news@infonews.ca.

Baby goats play under mom’s watch at a farm in Armstrong.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ TC Winn

A mother duck supervises her brood at a farm in Sicamous in March.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Brittany Lowden

A goat nuzzles her baby at Gotta Goat Farm in the South Okanagan in March.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Gotta Goat Farm

A newborn calf follows its mom on a ranch in Logan Lake.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Loekie Vanderwal

A ewe basks in the sun with her new baby on a farm in Salmon Arm.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Cedar Meadows Farm