Chemnitz Zoo: Offspring among the meerkats, alpacas and nandus
At the beginning of July, the meerkats had four offspring, which have now also been on display in the outdoor enclosure for a few days. With the latest offspring, the group at Chemnitz Zoo now comprises eleven animals. Like most carnivores, meerkats are nest-builders, i.e. they only leave the protective burrow in which they were born after a certain period of time. In addition, meerkats still have their eyes and ears closed at birth. These only open after about two weeks. All the animals in a colony take part in rearing the youngest offspring. The young animals also like to take a break in one of the caves, where they are still suckled by their mother.
There have also been offspring in two species in the South America enclosure. A female alpaca was born on 19 July. Alongside llamas, vicuñas and guanacos, alpacas belong to the so-called New World camels. The first two are domesticated species, the latter two are wild animals. The ancestral form of the alpaca is probably the vicuña.
Just last weekend, four nandu chicks hatched. These flightless ratites are native to the steppes of South America. At Chemnitz Zoo, the cock lives together with two hens. However, only the older of the two has laid eggs, the other is still too young. After the hens have laid their eggs, the cock takes over the breeding and rearing of the nandus.
Opening hours in summer
Zoo: 9 am to 7 pm, last admission 6 pm
Game enclosure: 8 am to 6 pm, last admission 5 pm