PDF 2.16 MB - Rīgas Zooloģiskais Dārzs

Affiliate ‘Cīruļi’
Riga Zoo’s Affiliate ‘Cīruļi’ (area 132 ha) is situated in Kalvene, Liepāja District, at southwestern part of
Latvia. Besides wild animal collection, mostly native fauna, we also work with various livestock breeds
including Latvian Blue Cattle, Romanov Sheep and Latvian Darkheaded Sheep here. The attendance of
‘Cīruļi’ was 20 268 in 2009.
After November 2008 snow storm damage to Raptor Complex, in 2009 we managed to complete all
needed repair works of enclosures.
2009 was a good year in ‘Cīruļi’ animal collection. Births included 2.1 Lynxes Lynx lynx lynx, 3.3 Red Foxes
Vulpes vulpes vulpes, 2.1 Eurasian Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris, 4.1 Wild Boars Sus scrofa scrofa, 0.1 Llama
Lama glama, 0.2 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus, 1.0 Domestic Yak Bos grunniens, 4.3 Pygmy Goats Capra
hircus. One of Lynx kittens accidentally fell down the shelf that resulted in five fractures in hindleg and hip.
After a surgery and two month treatment course in isolation from all the other family, young Lynx made a
full recovery.
In May about two day old orphaned wild Moose Alces alces calf was received for rehabilitation. It was
raised up successfully by one of Latvian Blue Cows. When already housed in large mixed ungulate species
paddock, unfortunately Arnolds the Moose was killed by Kiang male on 31 October.
Moose was not the only wild animal ‘Cīruļi’ staff had to care for. During 2009, many wild animals were
received as orphans or casualties. Those included a Wild Boar piglet, a Northern Goshawk, a Whooper Swan,
a Common Crane, a Grey Heron, three White Storks and a White-tailed Sea Eagle. The juvenile Sea Eagle was
found in Wolf enclosure with fight injuries. That was not a big surprise as during winter wild Sea Eagles and
Ravens arrive to feed in territory of ‘Cīruļi’ and mutual conflicts are not rare. Two White Storks, a Whooper
Swan, a Grey Heron and a Northern Goshawk were released back to the wild after rehabilitation.
Pogaino roņu Phoca hispida mazulis. 2009. gadā Rīgas zoodārzs saņēma trīs pogaino roņu
mazuļus, pēc rehabilitācijas tos nosūtīja uz Brestas okeanāriju Francijā.
Ringed Seal young. In 2009 Riga Zoo received three stranded Ringed Seal pups. After the
rehabilitation they were sent to Brest Oceanarium, France.
Foto: Elīna Gulbe
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