Zoo Ostrava The Annual Report 2009

even 11 chicks reared in the latter species. Further reading about four reared red-crested seriemas (Cariama
cristata), a member of the Gruiformes order, is available in a separate paper on page 58. - this bird is also to
be on display in 2010.
For the small mammals held out of scenes, breeding achievements include the first rearing of the Northern
Luzon giant cloud rat (Phloeomys pallidus), while in terms of management, the new imported species which
in fact is even a new order for Ostrava Zoo, the tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus) seen only rarely in captivity,
can be considered a good success. These and other new species are going to add increased attractiveness to
the exhibits throughout the zoo grounds.
Notwithstanding the list of successful breeding stories behind the scenes, most of the animal species can be
seen on display. In the large felids with established breeding success, no offspring was born, with the main
reason being the fact that the females of two popular species were rearing the cubs from the previous year,
which on the other hand still allowed the visitors admiring five Sri Lanka leopards (Panthera pardus kotyia) and
three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). With the snow leopard pair (Panthera uncia) already reaching high
age and the pair of Indian lions (Panthera leo persica) failing to produce offspring despite long-term mating
efforts, small felines took the lead: two Carpathian lynxes (Lynx lynx carpathicus), three Canadian lynxes (Lynx
canadensis canadensis) and, following a year-long break, one caracal (Caracal caracal) were bred in 2009.
The Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) has become a bird species where breeding has been
mastered and occurs on a routine basis. In 2009, six young flamingos hatched - five males and one female
- which is the highest ever number reached at Ostrava Zoo, so the zoo could supply four flamingos to Prague
Zoo to help their stock strive.
Important for the zoo's avian collection are new species, like much-sought Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus
crispus) - new dwellers of one of ponds, very rare and endangered Chinese mergansers (Mergus squamatus)
kept in the mixed enclosure called Crane Exhibit, and Baer's pochards (Aythya baeri), inhabitants of the
Chinese and Tibet Avifauna exhibit, plus a pair of Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus), certainly newcomers of
extraordinary value, kept currently behind the scenes to adapt to the zoo's environment.
In parrots, breeding success occurred namely in established breeders - we were pleased again with the
young in the vinaceous-breasted amazon (Amazona vinacea), yellow-headed parrots (Amazona oratrix oratrix),
scarlet macaws (Ara macao macao), golden-capped parakeets (Aratinga auricapillus aurifrons) and African grey
parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). Some other individual parrots are still in the process of reaching sexual
maturity. Having seen the repeated breeding failures and deaths in red-fronted macaws (Ara rubrogenys), we
assume to give up any breeding attempts in this very demanding species in the zoo situation. On the other
hand, the Tasmanian rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) presents an attractive newcomer and the
first member of the group of these parrots. The parrot exhibit also includes several bird species different
from those of the parrot order. Thanks to the successful reproduction and rearing, described in more detail
on page 55, yellow cardinals (Gubernatrix cristata) - perching birds endangered in the wild sharing the aviary
with green-winged macaws (Ara chloroptera) - are worth to mention. Despite there being many other various
bird species, be it the members of passerines, galliforms, ciconiiforms or owls, which could be added to the
list of the best breeders, we have to admit that birds of prey reached the highest score in 2009, where however
10