New animal species at the Oberrabenstein game reserve
Two grey cranes have moved into the extensive grounds
A new species is being kept at the Oberrabenstein wildlife park, which is part of Chemnitz Zoo. A few days ago, a pair of European grey cranes arrived in Chemnitz via the German Crane Protection Association.
"Willy" and "Cully" hatched in 2020 and were picked up as chicks by passers-by. They were then raised in a private foster home near Angermünde in Brandenburg. As they are too human-centred, it was not possible to release them back into the wild.
One enclosure in the Oberrabenstein wild boar enclosure had been deserted since wild boar farming was discontinued at the beginning of 2022. Due to the structure of this enclosure, the idea of using part of it for keeping cranes had been under consideration for some time. After the soil and vegetation had been able to recover a little from the stress caused by wild boar, the 1600 square metre facility was converted for cranes.
European grey cranes are largely the only crane species in Europe. In Germany, they are mainly found in the north and east, including Saxony. As a native species, they fit perfectly into the concept of the wildlife centre. With a size of up to 1.30 metres and a wingspan of up to 2.45 metres, the grey crane is one of, if not the largest bird in Germany.
The animals are migratory birds. In autumn, they can be seen flying south in wedge-shaped formations, sometimes with more than 150 birds in a group. They can be recognised by their elongated neck and legs stretched backwards. The legs are so long that they protrude backwards over the body during flight.
The main breeding grounds are in northern Europe. On their way from the wintering to the breeding areas and back, thousands of cranes rest, especially on the Baltic Sea coast, and fortify themselves for the onward flight.
Not all cranes migrate; there are also pairs that breed in Germany and some also spend the winter here. The animals need marshes, swamp forests, wet meadows, bogs and shallow water zones as well as open farmland for foraging. Cranes eat plant and animal food.
Note: The cranes can certainly be spotted at the Wildgatterfest this weekend to celebrate 50 years of the Wildgatter.
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de
Opening hours of the zoo in June:
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., last admission 6 p.m.
Opening hours of the wildlife park in June:
8am to 6pm, last admission 5pm