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Read moreSwedish elk cow at Langenberg Zoo
A cow moose from Sweden has recently taken up residence at Zurich Wilderness Park. After surviving her time in quarantine well, she is now being reunited with the two moose already living at Langenberg Zoo.
The one-year-old moose cow that arrived at the Zurich Wilderness Park on April 27 has a two-day journey behind her. She comes from the "Järvzoo" in Sweden. Like all new arrivals from abroad, she spent the first 30 days in quarantine at Langenberg, but was already visible to visitors. During this time, the animal was able to get used to its new surroundings and the presence of the zookeepers.
Gentle transition from winter to summer food
In addition to medical tests, the acclimatization process for the young elk cow also included nutrition. As winter temperatures still prevailed in Sweden, she was still eating only conifers, unlike her conspecifics in the Zurich Wilderness Park. "In the meantime, the animal has become accustomed to the warmer climate and also eats willow and other deciduous trees," says Martin Kilchenmann, Head of Animals. "After quarantine and a comprehensive health check, the cow moose is now ready to be reunited with our other moose."
The two younger ones get to know each other first
The two moose so far are a mother and her three-year-old son. As moose become sexually mature after just 16 months, the two have had to be temporarily separated from each other in the fall each of the past two years. This is to avoid inbreeding. In the wild, moose cows expel their last year's calf in spring. The mating season begins in September. The plan for mating is to first introduce the young bull and the new elk cow to each other. If it works, the zoo can hope for moose offspring next spring.
Langenberg Zoo is home to 19 native and formerly native animal species. Moose were present in Switzerland until the 10th century. The recapture is just around the corner: in Germany, wild moose have been reintroduced in recent years, migrating from Eastern Europe.
Further information
Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communication
Tel. 044 722 55 24, mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch
Pictures:
Three photos of the new moose cow are available as a ZIP in printable resolution.
Legend: The new moose cow in the Zurich Wilderness Park comes from the Swedish municipality of Järvsö. Photos: Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation, Stefan Eichholzer
