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Animal Baby Boom, 3 Times More Than Usual at Zoo During Covid-19 Closure

Peacocks, ostriches and baboons joined in an animal baby boom at a Palestinian zoo during the 2 months Covid-19 closure as they let nature take its course free from human distractions.

Credit : Daily Sabah

During this period of time, 15 animals were born at the tiny Qalqilya Zoo in the Israeli-occupied West Bank which is 3 times more than usual, zoo officials said.

“The coronavirus spread at the same time that trips were expected at the zoo. They were cancelled and therefore the animals started to give birth,” said zoo veterinarian Sami Khader.

Credit : Daily Sabah

An ostrich that laid eggs in normal years rarely had the chance to incubate them properly. But this year she produced 11 eggs and “because there weren’t people around her, she was able to build a nest”, he said.

In the monkey enclosure, usually bedevilled by miscarriages, one baboon gave birth, although she had little inclination to take care of the baby.

“My father had to bring him to our house,” said the vet’s daughter, Hind Khader. “I took care of him and gave him milk.”

Credit : TodayOnline (A baby baboon, which was born at the Qalqilya Zoo where workers say a coronavirus lockdown has led to a boom in animal births, is fed by the daughter of Palestinian veterinarian Sami Khader, in Qalqilya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank June 11, 2020. Picture taken June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta)

The zoo reopened in late May as Palestinian officials eased COVID-19 restrictions. Now zoo managers hope the newborn attractions will be enough of a draw to compensate for 200,000 lost visitors.

Credit : The Star

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