Chemnitz Zoo: Four emu chicks hatched
Feathered offspring on display in Australia
Since 27 January, the emus in the Australia enclosure at Chemnitz Zoo have also had offspring again. A total of four chicks have hatched from the Australian ratites. Father Heinrich is routinely looking after his offspring, which he has been incubating for almost two months. As is typical of most ratites, the male alone is responsible for incubation. During this time, the cock consumes virtually no food or liquids. He only gets up to turn the eggs several times a day.
This is the eighth offspring for Heinrich and his partner Katharina since they have been living together at Chemnitz Zoo since 2013. As with the previous offspring, Katharina is separated from Heinrich and the chicks. In the emus, the young are exclusively led by the cock. During the rearing of the young, the male emu can sometimes become very aggressive in defence of his young and his territory. In the wild, the females therefore move on after laying their eggs, often even into the territories of other males to mate again.
Heinrich and his offspring can currently still be seen in the smaller outdoor enclosure, which separates them from the Bennett's kangaroos - where young were also discovered a few weeks ago - and female emu Katharina. The chicks can be easily recognised by their characteristic striped plumage, which they keep for around three months. With the young kangaroos, the Australian enclosure in the zoo resembles a small kindergarten.
Opening hours of the zoo and wildlife centre in February:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., last admission 3 p.m.