Two fossas born in ZooParc Overloon

Overloon, June 21, 2024 - Two fossas have been born at ZooParc. The pair came into the world at the Overloon Zoo in early June, but are still staying in their nest behind the scenes. They are expected to explore the outdoor enclosure in a few weeks.

The sex of the cubs is still unknown. "After a birth, we leave mother and cubs alone as much as possible," says head zookeeper Steven van den Heuvel. "But even from a distance it is really super beautiful to see how the mother has completely taken up her role. The cubs are doing great and growing like cabbage."

Vulnerable
With the births of the fossas, ZooParc is contributing to the management program of this wildlife species. The goal of this program is to ensure healthy populations in zoos of wildlife vulnerable and endangered species. "The birth of these animals is extra special because fossas are not often born in zoos," Van den Heuvel knows. The last litter at ZooParc was in 2021; that was also the first time fossas had been born in a Dutch zoo.

The population of the fossa, which is found in the wild in Madagascar, is declining as the habitat becomes smaller and smaller due to forest clearing. In addition, poaching is also a factor: the meat of the fossa is considered a delicacy locally. Farmers also hunt these predators to protect their poultry.

IMPACT Madagascar
ZooParc supports, through Stichting Wildlife, IMPACT Madagascar. This organization conducts research on fossas and works with the people of this African country to combat problems such as deforestation, poverty and illegal trade.

The fossa is the largest predator native to Madagascar. There it lives in the forests, where it hunts birds and lemurs such as the ring-tailed lemur. These predators are excellent climbers and can also easily jump from branch to branch. They are active mainly at night. The fossa sleeps in a hollow tree or in a hole in the ground.

Fretkat
Because this species somewhat resembles a feline, it is also called a fossa cat. Thus, the fossa has a long, slender body, with round ears, large eyes and short brown fur with a long tail.

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