Pygmy hippopotamus offspring "Mafalda" is travelling to Cyprus - Sloth bear "Bodo" has settled in well at Chemnitz Zoo
In autumn 2012, the studbook keeper of the pygmy hippos recommended that the offspring "Mafalda" - born in December 2011 at Chemnitz Zoo - be given to Limassol Zoo in Cyprus. Transport by land was out of the question, so an attempt was made to find a suitable flight. Due to technical circumstances, a flight was selected to take the animal from Vienna to Lanarca in Cyprus.
"Mafalda", who now weighs more than 70 kg, travelled in a specially made transport crate in the air-conditioned cargo hold. She travelled to and from the airports by car, as Anja Dube explains: "We are delighted: We have already received news from Limassol that our Mafalda has arrived safely and has already eaten her first meal."
Incidentally, it is customary for the recipient to pay for the transport of such animals. No money is paid for the animals themselves; they are exchanged, given away or rehomed.
New at home in Chemnitz Zoo, sloth bear "Bodo" has settled in well (PM 136 from 25 March 2013). When the weather is right, he can already be seen in the outdoor enclosure, together with the five bear macaques. According to zoo manager Dube, there has already been a first meeting with female bear "Bhima" in the indoor enclosure: "Bhima is still a little timid, so this reunion must be approached carefully and it may take some time before the two bears can be seen together in the outdoor enclosure."
Opening hours of the zoo: 09:00 to 19:00, last admission 18:00
Opening hours of the wildlife enclosure: 08:00 to 18:00
Chemnitz Zoo on the internet: www.tierpark-chemnitz.de