Kudos outside Heidelberg Zoo – more space for zebras and playboxes

HEIDELBERG – At the Africa facility in Tiergarten, ranks have fallen. Kudus are no longer admired, but zebras and blesboks have more room.

Kudus are elegant antelopes with light brown fur and large ears. However, they have not been seen in Heidelberg since mid-February. However, the Africa facility with its various viewing options will not remain empty: zebras and blissboxes will continue to live there, along with guinea fowls, which also have their booth in Africa’s home. Giving up the kudu has not been easy for the staff at Heidelberg Zoo.

No more glory at Heidelberg Zoo: Transformation of Zebras and Playboxes

More space and more flexible animal management options are the advantages that ultimately led to the decision to stop keeping the fame. The barn conversion in the African house is now being done: several small boxes are combined into larger boxes that the animals can use together as well. This gives you more options to stay and more space. On cold days and nights, hoofed animals can move more freely in the warm house.

In addition, the symbiosis of zebras and blesboks is easier to arrange harmoniously than with kudus. By nature, zebras tend to be dominant and like to show other animals that they are the “boss” – especially stallions. On the other hand, the greater kudu is very sensitive and can’t always stand up to a zebra stallion – unlike blesbok. Of course, you don’t get bored in the Heidelberg Zoo – 150 species of animals were counted during the inventory.

Exiting the kudus: Will there soon be zebra offspring at the Heidelberg Zoo?

“In order not to disturb the group dynamics between the zebra mares, the bluesbok and the greater kudu, which our zookeepers have built up with so much patience, we have not kept any zebra stallions at Heidelberg Zoo in recent years. This also means that our zebras cannot reproduce, ”explains the director of the zoo, Dr. Klaus Vonemann. However, with the exit of the kudus, this is possible again: a new zebra stallion will move in this year and nurse with the three mares for the offspring.

By the way: The HEIDELBERG24 newsletter regularly informs you of everything that is happening in your city and region.

The blesbok group can also be increased again. “Zebras and placeboks do better in groups of several animals. Breeding means we can work with larger groups again. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions to make improvements,” says the zoo director. Just recently, another four Playsboxes moved to Heidelberg Zoo and are working on moving their African enclosure there. Follow Favorite