Emu baby boom: These chicks are causing excitement at Hammer Zoo!

Emu baby boom: These chicks are causing excitement at Hammer Zoo!

The zoo is currently bringing a breath of fresh air into its enclosures and is causing great excitement among animal lovers. Today, June 30, 2025, zookeeper Detlef Liebschwager starts his day with a tour of the popular zoo's predator house. Here, visitors are not only shown how to care for the impressive predators, but also the daily routine of the zookeepers, who ensure the animals' well-being with passion and dedication.

The focus is particularly on the sun bear Maika, who is happily served her soup. Maika is a very special resident of the zoo because she lives in the former enclosure of the panda bear Bao Bao, who died in 2012 at the respectable age of 34. The memories of the time with Bao Bao live on in the zoo, while Maika delights the audience with her charming personality.

Emu chicks and their rearing

Another highlight are the three emu chicks that hatched on March 29, 2024 in the Hammer Zoo. Park spokeswoman Verena Siewert said the chicks, who were initially mistaken for ostriches, are now happily playing in the enclosure with their mother and keepers. This addition to the zoo is special because it is the first time since 2017 that emus were born here. To strengthen the bond between the chicks and their parents, births were announced more than two weeks after hatching. The joy was even greater when the little chicks were allowed to enter the large outdoor area for the first time on April 6th. At Hammer Zoo, the emu pair are part of a baby boom that also includes ring-tailed lemurs, Bennett's kangaroos and night herons.

The chicks are raised by the roosters, who are responsible for hatching them during this time and look after the chicks after they hatch. This is an important phase as the chicks are under the father's protection and supervision for up to five to seven months.

Interesting facts about emus

The emus are the largest ratites in Australia and are characterized by their impressive speed - they can reach up to 50 km/h. Their special feathers, which consist of two fused keels, are not only unique but also give the birds the appearance of fur. An interesting detail is that their eggs, which weigh between 600 and 700 grams, are dark turquoise green in color.

Due to their adaptation, emus are able to respond to nocturnal visitors with special sounds. These noises are caused by a so-called throat air sac, which acts as a resonance chamber. These sounds can make enough of an impression during performances in the zoo and surprise the guests.

In conclusion, the zoo remains a popular attraction for families and animal lovers with a colorful mix of traditional and exotic animals. The enclosures not only convey the love for the animals, but also promote awareness of the need to protect the animal world.

For more information about the daily activities and the loving management of the animals in the zoo, visit the ARD Mediathek, which [WAZ].