Meet the New Arrivals: Mouflon Lambs at Wildgehege Klövensteen
- Wild-born Mufflon lambs spotted
Got some news, straight from Hamburg? The Mouflon herd at Wildgehege Klövensteen has got a little bigger! Over the past two weeks, the first ewe gave birth to twins, and two more lambs joined the crew just this weekend. In a chat with the German Press Agency, animal keeper Max Henkel confirmed that "all animals are doing well - the lambs are already bouncing around and full of energy!" The herd now counts 14 Mouflons, with three out of five ewes already giving birth. More little ones might be on the way!
For those unfamiliar with these woolly critters, Mouflons are wild sheep closely related to the domestic variety.The ancestral ties between Mouflons and our beloved pet sheep haven't been conclusively proven yet, but recent studies point to the former possibility. What sets them apart from their domesticated brethren is their distinctive backward-turned, spiral-shaped horns, affectionately called "snail horns" thanks to their screw-like structure.
In ye olde days, Mouflons roamed Europe's wild lands in abundance, only to be hunted close to extinction. Determined to bring these beautiful creatures back, Mouflons have been reintroduced into various regions and primarily thrive in hilly areas. Wildgehege Klövensteen, situated in the heart of the Kloevensteen forest, is not just home to these striking Mouflons but alsofallow deer, red deer, sika deer, wild boars, ferrets, otters, and some sneaky badgers. Not to mention, the children's playground and the Eurasian eagle-owl enclosure both got a well-deserved modern makeover this year!
Open to all and jointly owned by the city of Hamburg, Wildgehege Klövensteen offers a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with nature. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or an educational experience, this accessible paradise welcomes you with open arms, Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 16:00. So, drop by and pay these magnificent Mouflons a visit; who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the playful new additions!
Fun Facts:
- Mouflons can be found in central and southern Europe, Argentina, Texas, Hawaii, and New Zealand.
- Their size gives them a cute and delicate appearance, making them popular among hunters seeking a challenging trophy.
- Mouflons are known for their striking reddish-brown coats, saddle patches, and tightly-curled "snail horns."
- Mouflons may be a close relative of the domesticated sheep, with many believing they could have been the original ancestors.
- They are nocturnal creatures with exceptional senses of hearing and sight.
- At the community policy level, Wildgehege Klövensteen, jointly owned by the city of Hamburg, encourages vocational training programs for its animal keepers to ensure the continued success of its diverse wildlife residents, including the recent addition of Mouflon lambs.
- Intriguingly, despite being wild sheep that primarily thrive in hilly areas, Mouflons at Wildgehege Klövensteen now share their habitat with other species such as mufflons, which are also part of the wildgehege's vibrant community.
- It is believed that the ancestor of the Mouflon might have played a crucial role in the genesis ofdomesticated sheep, making the Mouflon rotation at Wildgehege Klövensteen part of an unbroken chain linking our past to the present and possibly even our future.
