The animal collection of Feldman Ecopark enlarges – in the end of July the kids of hamadryas baboons and porcupines were born. Feldman Ecopark’s deputy director of zootechnics Valeriia Ivashchenko told that the birth of hamadryas baboon babies is already a tradition for the Regional Landscape Park: last year, two monkeys of this species were born here.
“It is a girl. The newborn feels fine. Now it is under full care of mother and eats only the breast milk. They live in premises, and the guests of Ecopark will be able to see a kid only after it becomes stronger,” Valeriia Ivashchenko told. “Hamadryas baboons, which inhabit Africa and Asia in the wild, are a quite widespread species of monkeys. Nevertheless, each birth is a big happiness for us and our contribution to the Rare and endangered animal species rescue programme.”
Right now, 10 hamadryas baboons live in Feldman Ecopark, while the total number of primates exceeds 200 animals, which is a record for Ukraine.
Porcupines appeared in Ecopark only last year, but this birth of a kid is already the second one. The newborn (who was born several months ago) was not so lucky as two of its congeners: its mother wasn’t able to breast-feed it. Therefore, the whole responsibility for the newborn, its food, health and development, was taken by the workers of the Regional Landscape Park.
There are 8 porcupines in Feldman Ecopark as of today. They have recently moved to the new spacious enclosure, which not only meets all of the necessary conditions of these animals maintenance, but also makes it possible for the visitors to watch these unique rodents covered with big spines in every detail. There is a special place here to feed porcupines, while in the other parts of the enclosure they are able to hide and to dig a hole.
