Baby boom in Yukon Bay at Hannover Adventure Zoo

Fruitful Canada!

Storks have been almost permanent guests during the last few weeks at Yukon Bay. Despite soaring temperatures, the stork has brought many new-borns and been working overtime: some packages have been small and light, others big and heavy. The stork’s favourites were probably the prairie dogs, which weigh a mere 15 grams at birth. The two young caribous, each between 4 – 9 kg, and a small wood bison girl, weighing a hefty 25 – 30 kg, were a different story.

Yukon Bay's prairie dog pups first saw the light of day on Friday, 20 May. One of the two prairie dog families produced no less than four offspring. The tiny rodents hesitantly appear in the fresh air, black button-eyes blinking in the sunlight. They arrive on this world blind and naked in their protective underground burrow. About five or six weeks later they start exploring their habitat. The second prairie dog family, just across the way, let its newborn out into the light for the first time on 6 June. So far just the one has been spotted, whether it has siblings underground is difficult to say. Prairie dogs are always secretive about new family additions.

“Kaja looked like she had just been delivered by the stork,” enthused Benedikt Knüppe, zoo keeper in Yukon Bay. The birth of the small wood bison cow on 5 June went smoothly; it was quickly up on its legs, romping about. In the mornings, when she comes out of her stable, she likes to play, springing around the enclosure. Her mother Catori (3) and father Tatanka (3) simply shake their huge heads. They prefer a more tranquil approach, looking forward to a quiet day and even more relaxing evening.

The stork visited the caribou enclosure twice. On 31 May, caribou cow Grace was the lucky one; her daughter Taala arrived on that day. On 4 June First Lady gave birth to a son, Tibu. They are both first time mothers and are very caring. Anyone who gets too close to their babies is warned off. The father of the two furry fellows is Carter, but he is still not satisfied. The stork will soon be on its way again: Takkini is expecting to calve in the next few days.

The residents of Hannover Zoo's Yukon Bay Canadian wilderness have apparently settled down well since the opening in May 2010, and have got down to some family planning. There is no other explanation for the baby boom. The stork will no doubt be a frequent visitor, winging its way to Hannover with larger or smaller packages.

Adventure Zoo with about 3,400 animals in seven unique theme worlds, numerous animal shows and commented feedings daily, free attractions such as the Zambezi boat ride, Henry’s Underwater World, jungle path, evolution trail, adventure playgrounds, petting meadow as well as regional specialties in every theme world.

Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover
(Hannover Adventure Zoo)
Adenauerallee 3
D-30175 Hannover
Presse: Dr. Simone Hagenmeyer
Tel. (+49) 511 28074117

This release was published on openPR.