The year of 2006 again overcame the record of our zoo set the previous year in the number of reproduced reptiles. 302 young ones of 27 species were hatched or born this year. This number reaches more then ten times the numbers before the flood. The care and such a number of young ones represent a new experience as well as a great workload for our department. In all cases we breed the young ones artificially, they are placed out of the dorms of the adult individuals and bred in special (and often very specific) conditions. Therefore we are very glad that also in the category of breeding we were successful as the mortality of the young animals in the first year of their life was only 8.9% (27 pcs).
The most desired was the success at breeding giant Asian pond turtles (Heosemys grandis). We obtained the breeding group from the saved transport of “consumer” turtles to Hong Kong in 2002. We were appointed to keep the studbook of the species (particularly dr. Rehák) and we were trying very hard to create such conditions for the turtles so that they would reproduce. We managed to hatch the first young ones in 2005 but they were partially or totally paralysed and in fact not viable. Among the breeding measures taken for the new season there were: the change of the males in the breeding group, the cure of the Klebsiell infection, the germicide of the breeding spaces, complete change of the substrate and also adaptation of the conditions in the hatchery. The 27 young ones hatched in 2006 was the result. However, the progress of the seasons 2002-2006 suggests that maybe the success was not caused by the above-mentioned measures but the continuous adaptation of the breeding turtles to the well prepared conditions or their very slow but continual recovery from the suffering during the transports. This assumption is much hopeful for the remaining species of turtles that the zoo got during the above-mentioned saving action. The other species that reproduced for the first time in the history of our zoo (and in CR as well) was black mud turtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis). These turtles also came in 2002 via Rotterdam from Hong Kong but their state was so bad that we managed to save only 1 female and 3 males. As we considered the acquisition of these turtles as a commitment to this species, in 2004 we took part in another saving transport and accepted other individuals in 2004. The group was divided into two parts – the expositional one (Indonesian jungle) and the breeding one deposited in the breeding rear spaces. The breeding part of the rear spaces designed for water turtles in the underground of the pavilion was much improved by the installation of watered biological filters. It seemed that the turtles bred in the sterile conditions in water that was changed very often were not in optimal physical as well as psychic state that would enable them to reproduce. The installation of the above-mentioned filters much improved the state of all the groups of turtles bred in the rear spaces and the first young black mud turtle confirmed the measure taken. The group of Malayan box turtles that reproduced in 2004 and 2005 is now going through a period of stagnation, as at present there is no breeding male. Out of the five “Hong Kong” species only Malaysian giant turtles (Orlitia bornensis) and spiny hill turtles (Heosemys spinosa) resist reproduction. Both species laid eggs in 2006 and we hope that the time is on their side and we will see their reproduction soon. For the second year now we were much pleased by the Annam leaf turtles (Mauremys annamensis). This species is almost extinct in the wild and its survival depends on the human care only. The hatching of 7 young ones this year together with the positive results in Munster and Rotterdam convince us of the necessity to expert leading of the European breeding. In 2007 we would like to ask for the management of EEP (European Endangered Species Programme) for this species of turtles. The other success in the turtle section was reached by the successful repetition of incubation of the South African subspecies of leopard tortoises (Geochelone p. pardalis). We checked the methodology developed last year and again we “started” the embryos by fast changes of the incubation temperatures and we managed to hatch 17 young ones. The traditionally bred species is (from 1997) the African pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri). The three young ones this year are the record of our zoo but the number still proves the long-term problems with the incubation of the eggs of this species. We hope that the improvements in the methodology will cause the increase in the number of the bred individuals. In the pavilion Africa from Near the reproduction of African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) continued.
The year of 2006 was very successful as far as the breeding of lizards is considered. We are glad that most on the new or reconstructed expositions is not only attractive but it provides the space for full life including reproduction as well. Without any reservations it can be said about the “Sonora” exposition at the entrance to the pavilion of big cats. The desert conditions are much difficult to simulate but we managed to do it here so well that all the breeding females of the three species kept here reproduced. The final result is represented by 26 young common chuckwallas (Sauromalus obesus), 26 hatched Eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) and 17 desert spiny lizards (Sceloporus magister). Also the big Caribbean iguanas (both species have European studbooks) reproduced successfully. The rhinoceros iguanas (Cyclura cornuta) had 23 young ones, the smaller number (7) of young Cuban ground iguanas (Cyclura nubila) is absolutely balanced by the fact that a new couple important from the breeding management point of view reproduced as well. The female Papuan monitor (Varanus indicus) proved to be unexpectedly able at reproduction. Out of her 5 loads that year altogether 34 young ones hatched. More successful is only the female of rainbow skink (Mabuya margaritifer) in the pavilion Africa from Near. Her eggs hatch with an astonishing successfulness – 35 eggs and 34 young ones. The season was not much successful at green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus). In the first day of the New Year one young one hatched but then the breeding female died. This way she proved the life span of our females which is ten years. The newly completed trio has not reproduced yet due to the male. We are pleased by the hatching of 11 young rainbow lizards (Agama a. dodomae) that are abundant in the wild but in the terraria they belong to the very sensitive and demanding charges. From the breeding point of view even more demanding are Zaysan toad-heads (Phrynocephalus melanurus). For reproducing the second generation of these sensitive desert pucks in 2005 we were awarded by the foundation Czech zoo the recognition “The breed of the year” and in 2006 we had two more young ones. The low number of the individuals founding the breed together with the fast generation exchange caused the genetic decay of our small group, which led not only to the low hatching numbers but also to the fact that one of the young ones was an albino. Without any refreshment of the breed the future of this species in the Prague zoo is impossible.
The collection of snakes recorded less breeding, which represents a challenge for the future. However, one European first breeding is worth it. It is the 6 young ones of a snake that is interesting from the ecological as well as ethological point of view - rufous beaked snake (Rhamphiophis rostratus). The reproduction in the male line in second generation of East African egg-eating snakes (Dasypeltis medici) is a bit shadowed by the fact that the mother of ten died in the course of the year. We are of course pleased by the other birth of 4 young Cuban boas (Epicrates angulifer), especially as we keep their EEP studbook via dr. Rehák. Nevertheless, we are also pleased by some snakes that do not reproduce. The biggest female of green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) measured in summer 366 cm and weighed 40 kg, which at her estimated age of three years gives us the chance that she will grow to the size of about 7 metres.
We gain very interesting experience when working with our reptiles and amphibians in the outside expositions “Wilderness around us”. In winter 2005/2006 we tried to hibernate the animals right in the exposition by using geo-textile and a thick layer of leaves. This method was very successful and in the spring common newts (Triturus vulgaris) and sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) reproduced in the exposition.
The collection of reptiles was enriched by several interesting species in 2006. A private breeder deposited here two females of Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) from Central America and one of them can be seen in the exposition of anacondas. In the pavilion of Indonesian jungle it is possible to see a pair of red-bellied short-necked turtles (Emydura subglobosa). For the prepared exposition of Indian gharials we prepared the groups of crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) and brown roof turtle (Pangshura smithii). By getting the breeding as well as expositional group of one of the most endangered ground tortoises – Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) we joined the European programme for its saving (EEP). These tortoises will share the exposition in Africa from Near with the elephant shrews and two species of Egyptian agamas.
The most interesting acquisitions among the lizards are the two species of toad-head lizards (Phrynocephalus mystaceus a P. guttatus). We would like to use up the experience with breeding the Zaysan toad-head and create a desert exposition of these extremely interesting lizards in a terrarium. It should be inhabited also by steppe runners (Eremias arguta). Newly we have acquired a young trio of Oustalet's chameleons (Furcifer oustaleti) from a private breeder and they got well used to the vitrine in the pavilion of big cats. We also got the exceptional opportunity to try for a year the breeding of green geckos (Naultinus elegans) from New Zealand that are kept in Europe only exceptionally. Among the snakes the most interesting acquisition is the pair of young Vietnamese long-nosed snake (Rhynchophis boulengeri) that was hatched in Russian Tula.
On the contrary we have finished breeding of several species. It can be said about two species of anoles from the exposition in the Arch restaurant. The space will be changed into an exposition of frogs in 2007. The original group of blue tail tree lizards (Holaspis guentheri laevis) died but we would like to renew this species. However, the breeding of Percival 's legless skinks (Acontias percivali) is probably finished for good.
The greatest negative events in 2006 in the department IV were the repeated robberies. 2 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis) and most probably also 10 individuals of European ground tortoises in three species fell prey to them.
The forth breeding department together with the quarantine takes part in the operation of the CITES centre for confiscated reptiles. The year of 2006 was here a bit calmer than the previous year. Apart from the bigger groups of Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii), Hermann's tortoises (T. h. hermanni and T. h. boettgeri) and Greek tortoises (T. g. graeca and T. g. nabeulensis) that are mostly placed in the quarantine, radiated tortoise (G. radiata), ornate uromastyx (Uromastyx ornata) and 3 javelin sand boas (Eryx jaculus) came to the centre this year. It is worth mentioning that the centre is still full of reptiles confiscated in the past years.
The collection of fish changed a little bit in the course of the year as the fish in the big aquaria in the pavilion of Indonesian jungle grew up. We had to close down the breeding of giant snakeheads (Chana micropeltes), as they were attacking the inhabitants of the big pool in the top part of the Indonesian Jungle. Clown knife fish (Chitala chitala) in the aquarium at the entrance behaved in a similar way and damaged severely some groups of barbs and rainbowfish. We therefore let the zoo in Pilsen have them both. A group of Asian arowanas (Scleropages formosus) disappeared from the big tank in the bottom part of Indonesian Jungle.
In 2006 we did not focus only on the breeding of reptiles and improvements in the expositions but also on the research and publication work. Apart from two diploma thesis on the topic of giant Asian pond turtles (Heosemys grandis) and morphometric research on turtles in general we started to cooperate on third diploma thesis that is focused on the growing of young Papuan monitors (Varanus indicus). Thanks to dr. Rehák we are involved in very interesting project of genetic research of the populations of Cuban boas (Epicrates angulifer) and Cuban ground iguanas (Cyclura nubila). We also cooperate with the Yale University on an article on the subspecies structure of Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) in human care. We published two articles on our breeding methods and results in a German scientific magazine Marginata (authors Velenský, Velenská). One of them was on the reproduction of leopard tortoises and the second one on our experience with giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea). At the scientific forums we gave several lectures regarding the breeding of tortoises and snakes (conference of Austrian friends of tortoises, National museum, conference of the terrarists from Karlovy Vary, meeting of the Club of turtle breeders). The cooperation with faculty of natural sciences of Charles University continues as the students come for excursions. We also organised an excursion around the breeding rear spaces for the Club of the zoo friends and we devoted two intensive half days to the external guides with a detailed account of our intentions and tour around all the breeding spaces.
The zoological garden is situated in a unique area and hosts very precious animals inside. We are glad that the in-situ project focused on the research and protection of the local population of dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) started in full in 2006. In cooperation with the Agency for protection of nature and countryside we stated the main aims and methods of this research. The result of the first stage was the publication of Secondary school scientific activities under the name “Basic research of the population of dice snake (Natrix tessellata) in Prague in Troja “ by the author Mikuláš Velenský. The work won in the region competition and it was awarded the forth place in the whole of Czech Republic. What is more important is the sum of knowledge that we had obtained so far by the sensitive method of recognizing the individuals and many hundreds hours of work. In the next part of the project the selected individuals will be monitored telemetrically. The results of the project will be the particular suggestions for protecting the population on the winter as well as summer localities and the transfers between those two.
The local batrachofauna represents the new area of research and protection. The alluvial plain of the Vltava river is an important locality as well as migrating route for at least five species of frogs. When building the Water World the zoological garden was trying to create favourable conditions for life as well as reproduction of these endangered (in the Czech republic and the whole world as well) species. It will be necessary to observe carefully how they use up these conditions and what more can be done for the prosperity of their populations. The project for the revitalisation of the old millrace under the range for the mountain goats seems to be hopeful and in the near future it could also become an important locality for the amphibians in the garden.
Petr Velenský, the curator
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