Qalqilya, West Bank - Peacocks, ostriches
and baboons joined in an animal baby boom at a Palestinian zoo
during the coronavirus closure as they let nature take its
course free from human distractions.
Fifteen animals were born at the tiny Qalqilya Zoo in the
Israeli-occupied West Bank during the two months that it shut
its doors to visitors - three times more than usual, zoo
officials said.
"The coronavirus spread at the same time that trips were
expected at the zoo. They were cancelled and therefore the
animals started to give birth," said zoo veterinarian Sami
Khader.
An ostrich that laid eggs in normal years rarely had the
chance to incubate them properly. But this year she produced 11
eggs and "because there weren't people around her, she was able
to build a nest", he said.
In the monkey enclosure, usually bedevilled by miscarriages,
one baboon gave birth, although she had little inclination to
take care of the baby.
"My father had to bring him to our house," said the vet's
daughter, Hind Khader. "I took care of him and gave him milk."
Visitors hold a baby baboon at the Qalqilya Zoo. Picture: Raneen Sawafta / Reuters.
An ostrich looks at eggs at the Qalqilya Zooin Qalqilya. Picture: Raneen Sawafta / Reuters.
A lion lies in an enclosure at the Qalqilya Zoo where workers say a coronavirus lockdown has led to a boom in animal births. Picture: Raneen Sawafta / Reuters.
The zoo reopened in late May as Palestinian officials eased
Covid-19 restrictions. Now zoo managers hope the newborn
attractions will be enough of a draw to compensate for 200,000
lost visitors.