Among the nearly 30 new mammals, highlights include Pamir the snow leopard, two black lemurs, and a handful of newborn squirrel monkeys (saimiri).
The hoofed animals section celebrated the births of giraffes Pietruszka and Pomelo, a bongo antelope named Porzeczka, a Przewalski’s horse called Preria, and an onager foal, Zuzia. However, the giraffe and onager mothers did not care for their offspring, requiring zookeepers to intervene.
The bird section recorded more than 50 hatchlings—some exceptionally rare in European zoos—such as the southern cassowary, green peafowl (wieloszpon pawi), and five Congo peafowl. Several mammals housed alongside birds also added to the tally: two young southern tamanduas (bolita południowa), a Javan mouse-deer, and three African penguins—including the popular chick named Pik-Pok.
The zoo also bid farewell to several longtime residents. A cheetah named Wilma was transferred to Greece for retirement, while a Cuban crocodile named Dwojka moved to Tallinn. Two polar bears, Gregor and Aleut, were sent to Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic. Their former enclosure now houses a colony of African penguins.
Warsaw Zoo officials expressed gratitude to caretakers, veterinarians, and volunteers for enabling the facility’s successful breeding efforts this past year.
(jh)
Source: PAP