Offspring of emus at Chemnitz Zoo
Five emu chicks on display in the Australia facility
Since 19 February, the emus at Chemnitz Zoo have once again had offspring. A total of five chicks have hatched among the Australian ratites and can now also be seen in the large outdoor enclosure, which they share with the Bennett's kangaroos. Together with the young kangaroos, the Australian enclosure currently resembles a small kindergarten, a highlight for visitors to Chemnitz Zoo.
The emu chicks can be easily recognised by their characteristic striped plumage, which they keep for around three months.
Emu father Heinrich routinely looks after his offspring, which he has been incubating for almost two months. As is typical for 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.
For Emu Heinrich and his emu partner Katharina, this is already the ninth offspring since the two have lived together in Chemnitz since 2013. As with the other times before, Katharina is initially 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 in order to mate again.
Opening hours in April:
| Zoo: | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., last admission 6 p.m. |
| Game enclosure: | 9am to 6pm, last admission 5pm |