Leon Zoo predicament in stables: a sensitive situation unfolds
Title: Behind the Scenes: Leipzig Zoo's Nando Struggle
Intro:Life at the Leipzig Zoo can be a rollercoaster, as the keepers know all too well. A recent event involving the nandus showed just how quickly joy can turn into sorrow.
Leipzig Zoo's Bitter-Sweet MomentInitially, it was a moment of great joy for the keepers as two nando chicks were born. However, the happiness was short-lived as one of the chicks didn’t survive. The atmosphere in the nando stall became delicate due to this unfortunate event.
The Nando Saga Unfolds at Leipzig Zoo
Such occurrences are usually hidden from public view, but the documentary show "Elephant, Tiger and Co" on MDR provides a rare glimpse into the lives of the animals behind the scenes. In episode 1127, the camera crew takes a sneak peek at the nando stall, where there's notably turmoil.
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The keepers are closely monitoring the behavior of the nando father, Hannibal, due to the loss of one of the chicks. Now, Hannibal is effectively a "single father" to the surviving chick, according to keeper Janet Pambor. The worry lies in whether Hannibal will maintain focus since there's only one chick left. Keeper Florian explains, "He's taking care of it. But it's not as pronounced as with five or six."
Keepers' Vigilance is Key
When father Hannibal and the little chick are outside, it's the keepers' responsibility to ensure Hannibal remains focused. Springtime means that the female nandos are alluring, and the keepers need to make sure Hannibal doesn't stray. As Janet explains, "They eat together. But if he gets the idea to go to the back, I have to observe that." The little one needs guidance, and if Hannibal is constantly mobile and the chick follows, it might not eat enough.
More than Just a Show:During the documentary filming, Hannibal manages to maintain focus on the little chick, allowing them to run and eat together. However, the keepers are not yet fully at ease. According to Florian, there's at least a good chance that Hannibal won't lose interest in his chick anymore. "All good so far. That means time to cross our fingers and hope everything stays this way," Florian says optimistically.
Don't miss the whole episode of "Elephant, Tiger and Co." in the ARD media library.
The keepers are concerned about Hannibal, the nando father, maintaining focus on his sole surviving chick, as a livelier lifestyle during springtime might distract him with the alluring female nandos. To ensure Hannibal stays vigilant, the keepers need to closely monitor their interactions and supervise the chick's feeding to avoid any home-and-garden disruptions that could impact the chick's well-being.
