Copyright by: Harald Knitter/Wilhelma ©
Spring is moving in quickly at the Wilhelma; the milder weather has caused the blossoms of the Azaleas to literally explode inside the historic greenhouse, and in the Moorish Garden, the first blossoms of the Magnolia trees are starting to open.
Dull, rumbling calls are carried over the exhibition farm at the Wilhelma. Through trees and branches, spotted fur and impressive antlers are visible. The new arrival at the Persian fallow deer is making for a magnificent sight. The newcomer has loudly proclaimed the start of the mating season, even though the buck from the Berlin zoo, arrived just a few days ago. He is supposed to ensure that there will be new generations in the future, for this rare Asian deer.
Frankfurt Bonobo baby is finding a family at the Wilhelma. When Grandma had to fix it. Hopes are that the reunion with his grannie Kombote will be the fix for the little Bonobo from Frankfurt. Xhosa will receive his second chance to grow up with his kind in the zoologic-botanical garden Stuttgart. The first steps have been so promising that he is not viewable for visitors too.
The squirrel monkeys at the Wilhelma are showing off their three little ones. Responsible is: Frenchman Illamp;, the current male, joined the little popular monkey group on the sub-tropical terraces, after moving here from the southern French zoo de La Barben. Now the first results of the union are visible: between the end of April and mid-May, three infants were born and are being carried around on their mothers back.
The Wilhelma visitors are almost mesmerized by the sight of him. Will he do it or not? Spectators gather by every Indian peacock and wait anxiously if he will show of his legendary display of tail feathers. Right now, is the best time of the year to observe the cock with the most flamboyant plumage of the avifauna ruffle his feathers into a gigantic fan display. At the moment and during the next weeks, the males are intensely wooing the females for attention. Even though the stunning display is meant for the hens, humans seem to be very drawn to it also.