Young wildcats and a new barefoot path in the wildlife park
The volunteer's project work has been completed
More kittens have been born at the Oberrabenstein wildlife enclosure, which is part of Chemnitz Zoo. The breeding pair of European wildcats that have been living together since the end of 2019 have given birth for the fourth time. On 15 May, the keepers discovered four kittens next to their mother in the facility's litter box.
After nine weeks of gestation, the cat can give birth to three to five kittens. This takes place in a safe hiding place, as the kittens are blind for around nine days. In the first few weeks, the chance of discovering the kittens outside the whelping box is also rather small. The main activity time of wildcats only begins after sunset anyway. In the meantime, however, with a bit of luck the kittens can already be seen in the outdoor enclosure.
The European wildcat is not the ancestral form of our domestic cats. These are originally descended from the African wildcat (hawkcat). European wildcats are larger than domestic cats. A wild cat (male) can weigh up to 8 kilograms. Another distinguishing feature is the bushy tail, about 30 centimetres long, which has three distinct black rings and ends in a blunt black tip. In the distribution area of the wild cat, cross-breeding with domestic cats - known as "dazzlers" - can occur. However, these have little chance of survival under the living conditions in the wild.
Volunteer creates barefoot path in the Oberrabenstein wildlife enclosure
FÖJ volunteer Leon Böhme has created a barefoot path in the Oberrabenstein game reserve. There, visitors can test their senses with their feet. Various ground materials such as sand, cones and wood have been laid out for this purpose. There is also a small balancing beam. The new barefoot path is a useful addition for experiencing nature with all the senses, but also in zoological facilities.
Both Chemnitz Zoo and the Oberrabenstein Wildlife Park regularly offer the opportunity to complete a Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ). An FÖJ is a voluntary service programme for teenagers and young adults who have completed school but have not yet reached the age of 27. This voluntary service usually lasts twelve months and regularly begins on 1 September.
As part of the FÖJ, a project is always created in which the volunteers dedicate themselves to a special topic.
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de
Opening hours in summer:
Zoo: 9 am to 7 pm, last admission 6 pm
Wildlife park: 8 am to 6 pm, last admission 5 pm