Another increase in Feldman Ecopark’s animal collection – for the first time, three African spurred tortoises came into the world here. They hatched out from the eggs laid by the reptiles in the end of summer. For several months, they were kept in the incubator. According to the head of the Rodent and Terrarium sector Svitlana Vyshnevetska, it is an unusual event not only for the Multi-Complex, as the representatives of these species of reptiles have never been born in other zoos in Ukraine.
“Breeding of tortoises in captivity is a very difficult process demanding great devotion from the staff. It is necessary to maintain the necessary temperature and humidity in the incubator round the clock, to monitor any changes in the development of eggs and respond to them immediately. That is why we are very glad and happy that everything went well. Now, we nurse the kids, and take care of them to grow healthy,” Svitlana Vyshnevetska told. “The tortoises are very small now – they weigh a little more than 60 g and fit the palm. But when they grow up, they will turn into giants with the weight of 100 kg or more. However, around twenty years and proper nutrition are needed for this. It should be noted that they eat lettuce and other greens, they also like fruits and vegetables. In order the shell to be strong, we add chalk and vitamin mixture in their food.”
It should be noted that Feldman Ecopark has one of Europe’s largest collections of African spurred tortoises – 16 animals. The biggest of them is a 24-year-old male named Gabi weighing 115 kg. By the way, he is a father of the newborns. The animal collection of the Multi-Complex includes the total of 200 tortoises and turtles of 12 specials.
It should be also noted that African spurred tortoises are the world’s third biggest tortoises (after Galápagos tortoises and Aldabra giant tortoises) and are in the IUCN Red List. Their breeding in Feldman Ecopark is one of the field of the activities of the World Open Foundation for Animal Rehabilitation and Reintroduction (WOFARR).
