The zoo is filling up: First offspring in 2013 and an addition from Neuwied
As is almost traditional, the meerkats were the first inhabitants of the zoo to have offspring in the new year. Four young animals, still blind, were born on 10 January and have since been cared for by their parents and uncles in the indoor enclosure in the Tropical House. At the moment, the little ones are still helpless and mostly well hidden, so visitors should be patient to catch a glimpse of the "mini predators". The first curious exploratory attempts are expected in the next few days.
Things are easier on the farm, however. Here, too, there are offspring and two already very active baby dwarf goats, both male, have been joining the small herd of goats in the petting enclosure since 16 January.
Things are also happening in the vivarium. For example, happy parents of two-coloured leaf tigers are currently carrying their tadpoles on their backs. The frog species belongs to the well-known poison dart frogs and originally comes from Colombia.
In addition to the births at the zoo, there are also reinforcements from Neuwied Zoo, as Emu Heinrich, who shares a flat with the Bennett's kangaroos, has had a mate again since Tuesday.
Whether it will work out this year with the offspring is uncertain, as the hen is still very young and the usual mating season for emus has almost passed. Her predecessor had to be given to another zoo because of incompatibilities between the animals.
Incidentally, in emus originating from Australia, the cock is responsible for incubating the eggs and then rearing the young.