Filming in the Erfurt Zoo: Animal emergencies delay the show!

Filming in the Erfurt Zoo: Animal emergencies delay the show!

In the Erfurt Zoo Park everything revolves around the exciting animal world and the challenges that future animal keepers will have to face. Part of the third season of the popular show “Elephant, Tiger & Kids” was filmed here. This show follows six young people who gain valuable insights into the profession of zookeepers during an internship in various German zoos. There was a lot of excitement during filming, as thueringen24.de reports. The recordings had to be interrupted again and again because some animals got in each other's way.

As zoo veterinarian Tina Risch explains, they experienced, among other things, animal emergencies during filming. A rhea had injured its head and a donkey needed help with an ulcer on its hoof. One can imagine that in such moments the animals naturally take priority and this led to stressful days of filming for the team. Nevertheless, the recordings have now been successfully completed and the finished episode will be broadcast on October 2nd at 8:10 p.m. on Kika and in the ARD media library.

From Erfurt to the breeding programs

In the Erfurt Zoo Park, it's not just the television that's running at full speed. A very special lady, Djehuti, better known as Judy, recently left the zoo park to meet a cat named Zambezi at the Münster All-Weather Zoo. The hope behind it? Judy is expected to return in foal and become part of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP). A breeding recommendation is already available. A cat from Rostock was originally planned as a partner, but this project didn't go according to plan. Now the experienced tomcat Zambezi is supposed to convince him of Judy, and the animals have had several successful matings. The results of the exciting rendezvous are expected in mid-August, as zoopark-erfurt.de reports.

Breeding cheetahs is particularly important because their biodiversity is threatened by human settlements and poaching. The fragmented habitats make it difficult for animals to renew their populations. In this regard, zoos like the one in Erfurt can play an important role and help maintain healthy populations through international programs.

Animal keeper: A job with responsibility

But what does a zookeeper actually do? This important role requires not only passion for the animals, but also a great deal of responsibility and expertise. The training to become an animal keeper, which usually lasts three years, imparts a wide range of knowledge. This includes keeping, breeding, nutrition and monitoring the health of the animals, as noted on bildung.de.

Good grades in science subjects are also important, complemented by physical resilience and a certain instinct for dealing with animals. After training, animal keepers can expect attractive salaries in various areas, although the values ​​vary depending on the industry.

Considering all these aspects, it becomes clear that being a zookeeper is more than just a job; It is a calling that brings many challenges and also a lot of joy.