GERMANY: Nuremberg zoo says one of two polar bear babies recently born at the zoo was "possibly eaten by their mother"

Record ID: 805358

  • Title: GERMANY: Nuremberg zoo says one of two polar bear babies recently born at the zoo was "possibly eaten by their mother"
  • Date: 14th January 2008
  • Summary: (L!3) NUREMBERG, GERMANY (JANUARY 7, 2008) (REUTERS (ANDREAS BEURGER) ) VARIOUS OF POLAR BEAR MOTHER "VERA" WHOSE BABY IS BELIEVED TO BE STILL ALIVE WALKING AROUND OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE (11 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 29th January 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Nature / Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVAAAXIPC85YNXYINHVMA9G9G1FT
  • Story Text: Nuremberg zoo confirms one of two polar bear mothers which recently gave birth ate its babies while the second mother so far is taking good care of its offspring.
    The local zoo in the southern German city of Nuremberg confirmed on Monday (January 7) that a polar bear which recently gave birth to as many as two cubs ate its offspring.
    Vice director of Nuremberg zoo Helmut Maegdefrau told reporters that "today around 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) we received word that (polar bear mother) Vilma was scratching the feed gate, so she was somehow nervous."
    "We decided to check on her even though that's always disruptful.
    A zoo keeper with very good contact to the animals entered very carefully and spoke to the animals, as he always does," Maegdefrau said.
    "A few minutes later he waved at us to come in to say that nothing was left" in Vilma's cage, Maegdefrau said.
    "Vera," a second polar bear mother who gave birth witin one week of Vilma, was photographed by a zoo visitor a day earlier, appearing in the gate to the outdoor enclosure with at least one baby between its legs.
    "This was the first visible proof that the other cub is in perfect shape," said Maegdefrau.
    According to Nuremberg zoo, beasts of prey are "known" to eat their offspring if they are not healthy.
    "Our mothers were absolutely peaceful and relaxed and everything went well over these past few weeks. If the mothers' behaviours had not been as good, the cubs would have died long ago,"
    the vice director said.
    The polar bear cub births in Nuremberg follow the rise to stardom of "Knut" born at Berlin zoo in December 2006. Knut was rejected by his mother and raised by hand by one of the zoo's keepers, both of whom gained international fame.
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