Endangered marsupial born in Wroclaw Zoo in Poland -- again
A highly endangered marsupial known as a bear cuscus has been born in Wroclaw Zoo in Poland, the fourth since 2016 when the zoo obtained a pair that had been confiscated from smugglers in their native Indonesia.The zoo says its the only place in the world where the species has been successfully bred in captivity.The baby, believed to be a male, first left the pouch of its mother, Duzy, in late December, to the great relief of keepers who had known since July that it was developing but were aware how precarious that stage was, the zoo said Friday.
- Country:
- Poland
A highly endangered marsupial known as a bear cuscus has been born in Wroclaw Zoo in Poland, the fourth since 2016 when the zoo obtained a pair that had been confiscated from smugglers in their native Indonesia.
The zoo says it's the only place in the world where the species has been successfully bred in captivity.
The baby, believed to be a male, first left the pouch of its mother, Duzy, in late December, to the great relief of keepers who had known since July that it was developing but were aware how precarious that stage was, the zoo said Friday. It is the fourth baby for Duzy and her mate, Garetto, both of whom are 6 years old.
Bear cuscuses — which are not bears at all — are reclusive and only a few keepers and no members of the public are allowed near them.
"From the beginning, we've carefully observed our cuscuses and recorded everything — individual behavior, interactions, activity, eating habits, and even analysed their bowel movements," zoo president, Radoslaw Ratajszczak said. "We also try to give them as much peace and freedom as possible, which is why they live in a facility where they have contact only with selected employees, and where no visitors are allowed," he added. The marsupials live in the rain forest of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and feed on leaves, flowers and unripe fruit. An adult can weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds.) Only 14 of them live in captivity, in zoos in Belgium, the Czech Republic, the U.S. and Indonesia.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Garetto
- Radoslaw Ratajszczak
- Indonesian
- Sulawesi
- zoos
- Belgium
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Duzy
- U.S.
- Wroclaw
- Indonesia
ALSO READ
Poland should be part of several air defence systems, says PM
Germany welcomes Poland's wish to join European Sky Shield Initiative
Poland to raise cap on household energy prices, draft bill says
Poland to raise cap on power prices, cut subsidies costs
Trump says 'We're behind Poland' as he meets President Duda