The hamadryas and dik- diks became new inhabitants of the "Zambezi River"

Staff of the Zoo create comfortable conditions for the quick adaptation of animals

African animals continue to settle at the new part of the Kazan zoo the “Zambezi River”. 18 hamadryas and a pair of dik-diks moved to the cozy spacious enclosures.

The heated enclosures were prepared for the new inhabitants of the zoo: for comfortable accommodation in winter, the temperature in the enclosures should be above +25C. Primates live in two families, where the dominant role is assigned to males Iskander and Andrei. “The hamadryas are very strong, they have a strict hierarchy: if the male does not like something, the females, in their turn, behave aggressively as well, so we gave them anesthesia during transportation. It was more comfortable for the animals and safer for employees, " explained Tatiana Ganibayeva, the head of the exotarrium.

The hamadryas assimilate to a new place slowly. For faster adaptation, the staff of the Zoo accustom the animals to the schedule – blow the whistle when it's meal time and walk. By the way, in the autumn-winter period, the hamadryas have a special meal. “Primates have switched to autumn-winter conditions, their diet increased of fruits, including citrus fruits, and vegetables. We also give them vitamins, in particular, calcium, which is contained in chalk: if the hamadryas do not get calcium, they will lick the walls of the enclosures,” T. Ganibayeva explained.

In the winter season, primates walk at special enclosures. There are hammocks and ropes for them, and the floor of the room is powdered with sand. Usually they walk about 15 minutes a day.

As Tatyana Ganibayeva told, in the summer hamadryas will be transferred to an outdoor enclosure with an area of 3 thousand square meters, where they will coexist with an elephant. On the perimeter of the enclosure, a special fence with a small voltage is installed – it will prevent them to jump over the fence.

The female and male dik-diks also moved into the new home. They are one of the smallest antelopes in the world. The weight of an adult animal is only 4.5-5 kg. Tatiana Buslova, the head of the department of ungulates, said that in nature, dik-diks live in pairs, so they were settled together in the zoo. “Dik-Diks move synchronously, the male is always near the female, protecting her and creating conditions for their joint life,” T. Buslova said and added that dik-diks are very timid animals, so for their quick adaptation, the zoo staff try to contact them less.

Dik-diks’ enclosure is similar to the natural environment of their habitat- around the perimeter there are stones and leaves, which, by the way, the animals not only eat, but also used as a shelter when scared. In the summer, dik-diks will move to the outdoor enclosures.

The resettlement of animals in new enclosures began on October 30. The meerkats, crocodiles, herons, Brazza’s monkeys, lemurs, herons and others have already moved into spacious comfortable enclosures. In the near future, the ostriches and marabou, a zebra and a wildebeest will move to the zoo.

For information, the “Zambezi River” zoo will open till the New year eve. The territory of Kazan zoo has been increased three times after the reconstruction– from 7 to 21 hectares. the zoo is divided into three parts: “The Zambezi River”, in which African animals will settle, “The Amazon River”- for animals of South America, and the territory with animals from different parts of Russia. It is planned that all three parts will be connected by bridges and a tunnel.

Photo report

The hamadryas and antelopes settled down at the Kazan Zoo