Zoo Leipzig: Schopf deer in the Zwickmühle - offspring in danger!

Zoo Leipzig: Schopf deer in the Zwickmühle - offspring in danger!

In the Leipzig zoo, an exciting chapter in the animal community is currently underway: The shy East China's crested dogs attract the attention of the zookeepers. From the impressive high mountain landscape of the Himalayas, these animals are not only known because of their striking hairstyle, but also because of their shy ways that make the love life of the two Schopflensche Janno and Nicole a challenge. Despite the shared accommodation, the two have so far not been interested in reproduction, much to the concern of animal keeper Holger Wust, who reports on the difficulties in the MDR podcast that concerns the reproduction of the crested dog. The opportunity remains, however, because the mating season of the Schopflhirsche is only imminent in late autumn, such as thueringening24.de explains.

Janno, who in January 2025, by his predecessor Paul, who also could not win Nicole, was described as a "cod". Nicole, on the other hand, is much more active in the enclosure. Despite the previous failures, Wust remains optimistic that the two herd animals will get closer. "There is something", you could say, if you look at the hope of young people together.

Learning insights

The new podcast “Elefant, Tiger & Co.” at, the zookeeper Holger Wust introduces. In this podcast, which is moderated by MDR Saxony-Zoo Reporter Dirk Hentze, not only the crested dogs are treated, but also numerous other animal residents of the zoo. If you list the animals that have already occurred, there is a wide range:

• leaf cutter ants
• Bennett kangurus
• okapis
• large ant bear
• chimpanzees
• Orang -utans

The podcast, which has existed for over two years, provides exciting insight into the everyday life of the zookeepers and tells many interesting facts about the animals presented.

This remains to be seen whether Janno and Nicole will end up with the hearts of the zookeepers, because one thing is certain: the hope of future young people from the Schopf deer will not go out so quickly. The nurses definitely have a good hand, and maybe the quiet days will soon turn into festive moments full of life.