The keepers have not yet had any contact with the wolf cubs, the family is keeping to themselves for the time being, as announced on Thursday by the state-owned zoo. Meanwhile, preparations are also being made for the imminent arrival of a puma from Germany.
The four arctic wolf puppies saw the light of day on April 20th. The zoo has been trying for a long time to breed snow-white wolves. The foundation stone was laid in autumn 2018 with the arrival of Bjelle from the Petersberg zoo near Halle an der Saale in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and “Steirerbua” Herbert, whose zoo was born in the Wilde Berg in Mautern in the Leoben district. “The socialization of the young animals worked right away,” said Doris Wolkner-Steinberger, director of the state zoo.
First walks in the enclosure
“The veterinary examination will take place in three to four weeks. The young animals spend most of their time in a cave, but leave their familiar environment during the day,” reported veterinarian Reinhard Pichler, the zoological director of the scientifically run zoo. The animal keepers also had no contact with the puppies, so it was not yet possible to say how many boys or girls were in the litter, spokeswoman Karin Winkler said on request. However, the keepers will choose the names of the little ones, following the tradition in the zoo.
Arctic wolves are born with a dark coat that turns white with age. The arctic wolves originally come from the Canadian Arctic Islands and also inhabit areas on Greenland.
Another white rarity
By the way, there is another resident with white fur in the petting zoo: A white baroque donkey was born on April 28, 2022. There are still around 300 animals of this breed worldwide, which melt everyone’s heart with their bright blue eyes and long ears. In the times of the Habsburg monarchy they were kept as popular pets, later these animals almost disappeared from the scene. The donkey breed was only rediscovered and bred in East Styria in the mid-1980s.
Cougar babies soon?
At the puma rock, the enclosure – in which the puma lady currently lives alone – is being prepared for the arrival of a new resident. Your future companion, who is supposed to arrive in the summer, was treated badly. “Pele” was found locked in a wooden box in a car in the Upper Palatinate in mid-March – and freed by police officers. The young male is currently being nursed at the reptile sanctuary in Munich. “He’s very sensitive,” reported Winkler. “Pele” and the Herbersteiner Puma lady should then be able to sniff and get used to each other – initially separated by a fence.
Source: Nachrichten
