First Bison Calf in Dolní Počernice and Frisky Foals in the Zoo and at Dívčí Hrady

Not only the first calf in the enclosure, but also Grebelle’s first offspring. These European heavyweights, including the youngest addition, can be seen from two viewpoints in Dolní Počernice. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Barbora Dobiášová, Curator of Ungulates at Prague Zoo, said: “The female born in mid-May is an excellent sign that the bison are thriving in their new enclosure.”  The bison were introduced to the site last October to help revitalise the local forest-steppe habitat. “As they graze and browse, these large ungulates help create a mosaic structure within the habitat. They also feed on leafy twigs and pioneer woody plants. We hope we’ll see more calves in the coming years. Our task will be to observe how the number of animals influences the transformation of the environment,” explained Dobiášová.

In the past, bison were thought to be inhabitants of dense forests. However, they had to adapt when deforestation forced them out of the forest-steppe landscape. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The herd in Dolní Počernice currently consists of five individuals: the bull Oskar and the females Omega, Onelina and Grebelle, the latter having recently given birth. Describing the situation, Milan Kamenár, an ungulate keeper at the zoo, said: “This is her first calf and she is exemplary in taking care of it. She is so conscientious in protecting it that she is keeping it away from the rest of the herd, she even defends it against birds that are flying by. Although the other females attempted to approach the calf in the first few days, the mother will likely introduce it to the group slowly and gradually.”

The foal was born in early May. Visitors can observe it from several viewpoints at the Dívčí hrady enclosure. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

There has also been a new addition to the Przewalski’s horse herd at Dívčí hrady. The colt was born to the experienced mare Vereda and became fully integrated into the group shortly after birth. For now, the May-born foal remains entirely dependent on its mother’s milk and stays close to her. The best time to visit Dívčí hrady is late morning. Additional foals can also be seen in Troja: following the birth of a filly in April, another colt was born in the Gobi exhibit earlier this month.

The colt born this year at Dívčí hrady is another addition, following the three colts and one filly born last year. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo