The patter of two-toed feet has been heard at the Il Florilegio circus in Blackrock, Dublin, where one of the camels has given birth.
The circus's latest recruit was already walking yesterday, under the watchful eye of its mother Sahra. She was in "fantastic form", said the circus spokesman Enzo Farinella; while the camel's father, Kali, had been "drinking all day".
When the show arrived in January its promoters defended the use of wild animals against criticism on the basis that they were all born in captivity. The latest happy event - at 6 a.m. yesterday - illustrates the point; but the camel's one birthday every four years may renew some of the criticism.
The baby does not have a name yet. Mr Farinella said: "We're asking the children of Ireland to write to us with suggestions."
In further celebration, children under 12 will be admitted free to tonight's show, provided they're accompanied by paying adults.