Chemnitz Zoo: Offspring on two and four legs
There is good news from Chemnitz Zoo: After the dwarf goats provided the first offspring in the farm's petting enclosure at the beginning of the year (see press release 36/2020), their fellow residents, the Erzgebirge goats, have now followed suit. Last week, one female and three male lambs were born. The three male lambs all come from one mother. This is a speciality, as normally only one or two young animals are born per birth.
Since mid-March, the emus have also given birth again. A total of four chicks have seen the light of day among the Australian ratites. Father "Heinrich" is routinely looking after his offspring, which he has been incubating for almost two months. As is typical for ratites, the male alone is responsible for incubation. During this time, it consumes virtually no food or liquids.
"Heinrich" and his offspring are currently still housed separately from the emu hen "Katharina" and the Benett's kangaroos, with whom he usually shares the enclosure. This is necessary as the male emu can become very aggressive when rearing its young in defence of its young and its territory.
Note: During the temporary closure of the zoo, we kindly ask you to refrain from filming and photo requests. Thank you for your understanding.