African brush-tailed porcupine – a new species of mammal

jún 25, 2018 | Nezaradené

Our collection of small species of mammals was extended by yet another interesting species. It is the African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus). As it has quills only in the back part of the body, they looks rather like a rat than a crested porcupine. This porcupine is interesting also due to a long lamellar tail, ended by white hair. If in danger, they can produce a crinkly sound reminding of a rattlesnake ´s tail. On contrary to the crested porcupines, the brush-tailed porcupines live in rather forest regions, especially tropical, wet forests and rainforests and can be quite commonly found even in mountain regions, in the altitudes over 2000 m. They are active especially in the early morning and at night; they are also great tree-climbers. Their food consists of leaves, flowers, fruit, roots and occasionally, also agricultural products, especially corn. The meat of the African brush-tailed porcupine is considered to be a delicious food in Africa that is why the locals like hunting them. It is not endangered species. However, it is rare species in the European zoological gardens, currently only in 20 zoos in Europe. Two males were brought to us from the Czech Zoo in Jihlava; they are in the outdoor premises, together with Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys in the pavilion of monkeys.

Rare animal babies

jún 23, 2018 | Nezaradené

The newest member of our zoo is a calf of the rare Hartmann´s Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) born on 3^rd June, to our zebra Mandara. It is the 15^thcalf of this species of zebra born in our zoo and the first one after Lobit that we brought  from the Belgian Zoo Planckendaelin 2016.

For the first time in our history, we have a calf of Kirk´s Dikdik (Madoqua kirkii) – one of the smallest antelopes in the world. The female Lira was born on the 1^st May and her parents were hiding her from us for a long time. Today, she regularly goes out to the run.

Our experienced couple of Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) has produced two more young animals this year (the ninth and tenth, respectively). We keep this smallest species of demoiselle in our pheasantry exposition volary.

We also have a baby Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) who are related to the demoiselles. These South American birds have lifestyle very similar to birds of prey, feeding on any prey they can hunt, especially various rodents and reptiles.

After two years, we have a young Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) as well. We found two eggs in the exposition terrarium which were placed into an incubator in November. In March, one tortoise was successfully hatched with the length of 3,5 cm and weight of 18 g. The other egg was not fertilised. Today, the small tortoise is almost 4 cm long and weighs 36 g.

New species of birds at the zoo

jún 22, 2018 | Nezaradené

From the beginning of this season, we have gradually added several new bird species to our expositions. Many of them are the only representatives of their kind to be seen in Slovakia – and only in our zoo. They contribute in important species diversity in the collection from various biotopes of Africa, Europe, Southeastern Asia, Papua New Guinea and South America. In European zoos, the European Studbook (ESB) is kept for three bird species – Chestnut-backed Thrush, Hamerkop and Goliath Heron.

AFRICA:

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)

Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

EUROPE:

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

European Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus)

SOUTHEAST ASIA:

Bornean Fireback (Lophura ignita rufa)

Chestnut-backed Thrush (Geokichla dohertyi)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus solomonensis)

SOUTH AMERICA:

Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)

Yellow-billed Teal (Anas flavirostris)

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)