Zoo births reported in Olomouc and Ostrava

The Olomouc Zoo has announced the birth of two bison calves, marking a significant event for the local herd. The second calf was born in late July, which is considered unusually late for the species. Since the resumption of breeding at the Svatý Kopeček site in 2013, 21 calves have been born there. The herd is expected to be strengthened this autumn by a new breeding male arriving from northern Italy.

Globally, the bison population has seen substantial growth. In 2003, there were approximately 1,800 bison in the wild; by 2019, that number had increased to over 6,200. Consequently, the species has been reclassified from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘near threatened’ on the Red List of threatened species.

In Ostrava, the zoo reported the successful birth of two Sri Lankan leopards. The cubs were born without complications to an experienced female. This birth is notable as it is the only one within the European ex situ program in the last year. The captive population of Sri Lankan leopards is small, consisting of fewer than 60 individuals across 27 zoos.