Chemnitz Zoo celebrates its birthday
Animal park festival on 29 June, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Offspring among the nandus
Chemnitz Zoo is celebrating its birthday on Sunday 29 June from 10 am to 5 pm. In remembrance of its founding in 1964, the focus on this day will be on animals, the zoo, species conservation and, of course, the zoo itself.
Cultural institutions, clubs and organisations as well as the Siegmar volunteer fire brigade will be presenting themselves with information stands and hands-on activities. The zoo staff offer guided tours, a look behind the scenes and a zoo rally, among other things.
There will also be a new addition to the South American ratites. On 25 May, three chicks hatched among the nandus in the South America enclosure. They are led by the only cock. As is typical of most ratites, the male alone is also responsible for brooding.
As the cock, which can sometimes become very aggressive during the rearing of the young, behaves in a relaxed manner towards both hens and visitors to the walk-in South America enclosure, no separation is necessary. This makes it possible to observe the chicks particularly closely.
Nandus used to be called "pampas ostriches" because of their similarity, but at up to 1.60 metres tall, they are much smaller than their African relatives. They are very sociable and can occur in groups of more than 50 animals.
During the mating season, however, the males become territorial. The females then form small groups, which are courted by the territory owners. If the male is successful, the females all lay their eggs one after the other in the prepared nest and then move on as a group to the next male. The up to 20 eggs, which can sometimes be from twelve different females, are then incubated by the cock for just under a month and a half.
Opening hours in summer:
| Zoo: | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., last admission 6 p.m. |
| Game enclosure: | 9am to 6pm, last admission 5pm |