Female Winkleigh, who is originally from Tasmania, is getting used to her new home at Prague Zoo. He explores the enclosure most often first thing in the morning and then in the early evening. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
After the wild pairing, the atmosphere in the common wombat exhibit is noticeably calmer. Biting, gnashing of teeth, and loud yelling have been replaced by regular meetings and obvious interest in each other. Visitors can get to know the first pair of these attractive marsupials in the Czech Republic – the male Cooper and the newly arrived female Winkleigh – on Sunday, June 11, during the Prague Zoo’s rich Wombat Day program.
“I would say that now they are in a phase of mutual tolerance, which is slowly approaching affection. Winkleigh is now allowing Cooper to share the burrow with her, which is a clear sign of sympathy in the wombat world,” breeder David Vala describes the situation.
Winkleigh was born in Tasmania and, like the male Cooper, belongs to the Tasmanian wombat subspecies. It is characterized by a smaller appearance and higher resistance to colder climates. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Winkleigh, who arrived at the zoo in April and, after a mandatory month-long quarantine, inhabited the exhibit in the Darwin Crater in May, is also getting used to her new home well. “He’s been going to the paddock more and more often, although unlike the more relaxed Cooper, he’s a little sloppy. For example, she climbed into one of the flower pots, whose greenery she then devastated. Cooper has not thought of anything like that in the two and a half years he has been in Prague,” adds Vala. This also shows the high level of individuality of individuals.
Winkleigh and Cooper’s first introduction was wild and there was no shortage of bites and growls. They now share a den together and show more and more affection. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
People can catch wombats in the outdoor enclosure best right after the zoo opens or, conversely, in the early evening. But on Sunday at 2 p.m., their special commented feeding awaits visitors. This will be part of a colorful Wombat Day, which was inspired by Peter J. Nicholson’s ‘wombat boy’ research. As a fifteen-year-old in Australia in the 1960s, he gathered considerable knowledge about the life of these marsupials, and his student work laid the foundation for further scientific research.
Those interested can try out its activities on Sunday at the Veselovského meadow in the lower part of the area. Little explorers will record a whole range of themed activities including digging and measuring burrows, searching for treasures, wombat speech and an atypical way of defense in the Explorer’s Journal and receive small rewards for completing the tasks. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the Darwin Crater from 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for free.
The explorer’s diary will be given to little explorers at the Prague Zoo this Sunday. A number of activities, tasks and puzzles await them as part of the Day with Wombats. Source: Prague Zoo