Prague Zoo Now Keeps Fossas

The male came to Prague Zoo from Paris, the female from Germany. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

Our new carnivorans are perfectly adapted to life in the trees. Thanks to their incredible agility and suppleness they can even climb upside down. They are solitary animals that have traditional trees where they congregate during the mating season. This is so they can meet other individuals of their species every year. Pavel Brandl, Prague Zoo’s curator of mammals, said, "The fossas are now exploring the indoor exhibit, and once they get used to their new home, the keepers will let them out into the outdoor enclosure.”

The animals, both of which recently came to Prague Zoo from abroad, were born last year. Pavel Brandl went on to add, “In line with the European Breeding Programme (EEP) coordinator’s recommendation, we will only pair the male and female after they have reached sexual maturity. We could see cubs in two years’ time.”

Fossas can climb upside down and even run in spirals among the tree branches. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

Island species are some of the most endangered in the world. The IUCN Red List assesses the endemic fossa as Vulnerable, and its population has declined by 30% over the last three generations due to habitat loss and persecution. In the wild, the indigenous people often consider them to be pests due to the fact that, apart from lemurs, which are the most common item in their diet, they sometimes prey on chickens or other poultry. In addition, the extensive forests where these exceptional beasts live are also disappearing.