Filming in Erfurt Zoo: Animal emergencies and exciting insights!

Filming in Erfurt Zoo: Animal emergencies and exciting insights!

Excitement has increased in Erfurt Zoopark! Today, June 16, 2025, it was announced that part of the third season of the popular series “Elephant, Tiger & Kids” was filmed on location. This show, an offshoot of “Elephant, Tiger & Co.”, gives young people the opportunity to get to know the exciting profession of animal care. However, filming was not without its challenges. There were repeated animal emergencies that kept the team on their toes.

Tina Risch, the zoo veterinarian, reported on an injured rhea and a donkey with an ulcer on its hoof. “The animals took priority,” she explained, which led to a hectic but exciting day for the entire zoo team. Fortunately, filming has now been successfully completed and the episode will be broadcast on October 2nd at 8:10 p.m. on Kika and in the ARD media library. An exciting insight into the work behind the scenes awaits viewers, and this episode will certainly be a hot tip for all animal lovers. thueringen24.de reports that ...

Breeding programs for endangered species

It wasn't just the filming that attracted attention at the zoo. There are also notable developments in animal breeding. On February 6th, Djehuti, affectionately known as Judy, traveled from Erfurt to the Münster All-Weather Zoo. The reason? She was supposed to hook up with Zambezi the cat there. The goal: Judy should return pregnant and thus become part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Program (EEP). This is to ensure that the cheetah population remains stable.

A tomcat from Rostock was originally intended as a breeding partner, but the mating did not go as planned. However, Zambezi, an experienced cat, got involved with Judy, who was in heat. Female cheetahs are only ready to mate about once a month, and the time window was used optimally: multiple matings brought hope for great offspring. The indoor and outdoor facilities at Erfurt Zoo are already prepared for a possible birth, including whelping boxes. The results of this exciting journey are expected in mid-August and could bring new life to the zoo. zoo-erfurt.de provides information about…

The role of zoos in biodiversity

What makes zoo breeding programs so important? A look at history shows that zoos have taken on increased responsibility since the 1970s. In 1975, the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” came into force, which meant that zoos were no longer allowed to import wild animals on a large scale. Instead, they had to care for the offspring themselves. This is where Europe-wide breeding programs came into the spotlight. These aim to preserve species and promote genetic diversity. planet-wissen.de has exciting information about this...

The challenges are great: loss of habitat, poaching and the fragmentation of animal populations pose significant threats. However, cooperation between zoos, conservation organizations and governments makes an important contribution to keeping animal populations healthy. The European Conservation Breeding Program has established itself as a crucial measure to protect and preserve endangered species in the long term. From species-appropriate husbandry to continuous research – the tasks of zoos are extensive and important.

One thing is clear: Erfurt Zoo takes its responsibility seriously and uses its programs to create a hopeful future for the animals. Whether through exciting filming or pioneering breeding initiatives - it remains fascinating what the animal world has to offer.