Oberrabenstein game reserve: First bison calf of the year

Im Bild ist ein ausgewachsnes Wisent mit seinem Nachwuchs zu sehen. Das Jungtier steht vor dem Elterntier und schaut in die Kamera. Das Elterntier schaut mit dem Kopf nach rechts. Im Hintergrund ist das Gitter des Geheges zu erkennen, der Fußboden ist eine Mischung aus Gras und Erde.

Im Bild ist ein junges Wisent zu sehen. Man sieht nur den Kopf und den Hals. Das Jungtier schau nach links. Sein Fell ist dunkelbarun, es hat kleine Fellohren. Im Hinterdrung ist das Gitter des Geheges zu erkennen, dahinter leuchtet das Gras von der Sonne beschienen.

On 16 May, the first bison calf of the year was born at the Oberrabenstein game reserve, Thomas-Müntzer-Höhe 13. Mum "Onia" and her female calf are doing well. The father is the bison bull "Spakko". The bison's mating season is usually between August and October. After a gestation period of around nine months, a single calf is usually born.

The young animal was given the name "Ora" to mark the International Day of Light (16 May). The name comes from Hebrew and means "the light" or "the shining one".

All bison born in the Oberrabenstein wildlife park have the initial letters "Or" in their name - as a reference to their place of birth. This system is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), in which numerous zoological institutions participate. Each institution uses its own name abbreviations for its offspring.

The herd at the Oberrabenstein wildlife park currently consists of five animals, and one of the bison cows may yet have another offspring.

Bison are the largest European land mammals. Adult bulls can reach a weight of up to 1,000 kilograms, cows can weigh up to 600 kilograms.

After the extinction of the aurochs, bison are the only wild cattle still living in Europe today. However, they are not closely related to domestic cattle - their closest relatives are the American bison. This is why the bison is also known as the European bison.

In the first half of the 20th century, the bison was thought to be almost extinct. It was only through the cooperation of zoological institutions and dedicated private owners that the species could be preserved. Today, more than 8,000 animals live worldwide, around a third of them in zoos and wildlife parks. The Oberrabenstein Wildlife Park has also been making an important contribution to the conservation of the species for many years.

Animals from Oberrabenstein have already been donated to reintroduction projects on several occasions - including for a reintroduction project in the Caucasus.

<p>Opening times (April to September)

Tierpark Chemnitz:	daily	9 am to 7 pm
Wildgatter Oberrabenstein:	daily	9 am to 6 pm

Last admission and closing time one hour before closing