Last year, both lions and leopards were born at Zoo Brno on Mniší hora Hill, while this year Margay mother ‘Ichika’, a small wildcat native to Central and South America, brought a cub into the world. Photo of Ichika: Zoo Brno
Brno, Mar 7 (BD) – Brno’s newest Margay cub was born on February 21 at Zoo Brno. “The mother is taking good care of it and is behaving very calmly,” said Dorota Gremlicová, the zookeeper of the mammalian department of Zoo Brno.
“So far, everything is on the right track, but we do not like to predict, as rearing is still in the early stages, ” Gremlicová explained in the official press release.
“We do not have information on the sex and weight of the newborn Margay. We will only have it available after the first veterinary visit, which will take place in 5 to 7 weeks,” Zoo Brno spokesman Michal Vaňáč said last week.
The margay, very similar to an ocelot in appearance, is a smaller feline beast that is slightly larger than a domestic cat. It grows up to 80 centimeters in length and weighs between 3 and 9 kilograms.
“Margays are among the most beautiful and mysterious of the spotted cats,” International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) writes on its website.
Meanwhile, lion cubs born in late December 2017 at the zoo have undergone a second veterinary checkup. “We found out that they have gained two kilograms in two weeks,” Vaňáč said.
Former tennis star and coach Radek Štěpánek will be the godfather of the little lions. The baptism of the small lions will take place in April. “The exact date will be known upon agreement with Radek Štěpánek sometime in March,” Vaňáč specified.
Radek Štěpánek will be the godfather of the little lions. Photo: Karel Tejkal, provided by Zoo Brno
Before the lions’ baptism, the leopards will also be baptized. The festive event is scheduled for March 24. “The successful blogger Michaela Salačová of Brno’s Cool Brno Blog will become the godmother,” Vaňáč revealed.
Photo of leopard: Zoo Brno
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