Greater flamingos at Chemnitz Zoo: Proud parents of four chicks!

Greater flamingos at Chemnitz Zoo: Proud parents of four chicks!

There is currently a very special celebration for animal lovers at Chemnitz Zoo: The first flamingo chicks of the year have seen the light of day! This good news has now been made official, and visitors can look forward to seeing the lively new residents. As reported on the city of Chemnitz website, the first two chicks hatched at the beginning of June, followed by six more by June 14th. In addition, some eggs are still being incubated, so more chicks may be on the way.

But the current events in the zoo have even more to offer. This is the fourth successful breeding of greater flamingos in a row since 2022. A real reason for joy, because for a long time flamingos were considered unbreedable in zoological facilities. Although they have been kept for over 100 years, the first breeding successes only occurred in the 1940s to 60s. Greater flamingos have been cared for at Chemnitz Zoo since the 1990s, but successful breeding was a difficult undertaking for a long time.

The success factors

A crucial factor for flamingo reproduction is the correct group size and a balanced sex ratio. Animal keepers significantly influenced the positive result through their support in building cone nests. Young animals are raised both through natural breeding and by their parents, providing an insight into the fascinating animal world. Visitors have the opportunity to directly observe the raising of the chicks. These animals can be recognized by their smaller size and their gray coloring, which only turns into the typical pink over the years.

As the highlight of the summer, the zoo will host a festival on June 29th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The focus here is not only on animals and species protection, but also numerous activities for young and old await guests. From guided tours to craft activities to face painting, there is something for everyone. Cultural institutions and local clubs will also present themselves and contribute to the entertainment with hands-on activities.

A look at the daily highlights

After the festival, there will be short tours of the zoo every day at 11 a.m. starting June 30th. The first tour leads to the emus, followed by the greater flamingos on July 1st. There are also special show feeding events in the Wildgatter Oberrabenstein on various days of the week, where visitors can experience the animals up close. This all happens in a pleasant summer atmosphere, while the zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

With these developments, Chemnitz Zoo shows that it is a place of learning and joy. The focus here is on nature as a resource and the valuable work it does to protect species. So it will be interesting to see whether more chicks will hatch in the coming weeks. It's definitely worth a visit to experience this natural wonder up close!