Zoo Leipzig: Animal caretaker astonished - "A first-ever"Occurrence within the zoo leaves even the most seasoned caretaker in awe.
🥦 A Time of Lush Delights for Leipzig Zoo's Animal Keepers
Sometimes, animal keepers at Leipzig Zoo find themselves engulfed in a veritable cornucopia of joy-filled moments—big and small. In a crystal-clear snapshot of such euphoria, captured by MDR in "Elephant, Tiger & Co" (airs May 23rd), keeper Dana Eisenreich recounts one such triumph.
Leipzig Zoo: Baby Fever with the Red-shouldered Squirrel Monkeys
Enter Maleficent, the red-shouldered squirrel monkey, who's only been in Leipzig Zoo for a scant three months, yet has already stolen Dana's heart. Their torrid romance blossomed over frequent trysts—three times a day, in fact—as Dana pays visits to the habitat in Gondwanaland, bearing delectable offerings. This mutual courtship has paved the way for genuine affection, evident when Maleficent now approaches Dana all on her own.
East Zoo: A Rare and Enchanting Sight - Not for Every Eye
Suddenly, Dana's gaze flickers about, and with a discerning eye, she shares, "Things are dancing different tunes here at the moment." The mystery unfolds as two more furry tykes scamper into view. Little Meli, the proud mother, has given birth for the first time, and, needless to say, Dana is bursting with pride. "With these little ones making their grand entrance, we're beyond delighted," Dana exudes.
Animal Keeper: Bracing for New Challenges
These bundles of joy are about 30 days old and have only recently begun exploring the big, wide world, tickling Dana's fancy. She's had her eyes set on becoming their BFF, and with visions of sugary treats and fond playful moments dancing in her head, she's optimistic that her efforts will bear fruit.
Raising Awareness:
One crucial reason for this blossoming friendship is for the zoo to gather intel on our tiny, fluffy VIPs' genders; at present, the baby monkeys' identities remain a secret. Dana acknowledges, "It's an added layer of complexity to my job. Now, I need to keep a hawk-eyed watch on little ones scampering around, lest I step where I shouldn't."
Be sure to catch episode 1129 of "Elephant, Tiger and Co" in the ARD Mediathek.
- Dana's new friendship with Maleficent, the red-shouldered squirrel monkey, has not only brought joy but also introduced new challenges in her role as an animal keeper, extending from bonding with the monkeys to identifying their genders.
- As life at Leipzig Zoo blossoms with the arrival of baby red-shouldered squirrel monkeys, Dana finds herself not only fascinated by their Play-Doh-colored cuteness but also dedicated to carefully observing them to determine their gender, adding a layer of complexity to her home-and-garden lifestyle.
