Suche
Mein Konto
Four little manules were born in the Gdańsk Zoo – a rare breeding success!
On May 30, 2025, four Manul kittens were born at Gdańsk Zoo. The animals are not currently on display, but are developing splendidly.
Four little manules were born in the Gdańsk Zoo – a rare breeding success!
There is exciting news in the Gdańsk Zoo: not long ago there was the birth of four little manules, also known as steppe cats. These new earthlings were born into the care of Ula, the partner of the male Manul Manuel. The Gdańsk Zoo reports that the kittens, which currently live in secret but can be observed via the zoo's social media, are already developing well and have reached a weight of 163 to 202 grams after a week, above the average of 150 grams for this species.
Manuel and Ula have been part of the Gdańsk Zoo for almost a year and the zoo has created a new enclosure for them this season. However, only Manuel is currently staying there. Ula's parenting skills are described as exemplary as she spends a lot of time laying with her kittens.
Growing popularity of the Manul
The decision to hide the newborn kittens from visitors is based on the desire to avoid risks such as infections and parasitic diseases. These animals are considered fragile, and the chances of survival for young manules in the first months of life are very low. The zoo's veterinary supervisor, along with the breeding program coordinator, will decide the future placement of the kittens; It is conceivable that some of them will be given to other zoos.
The manules are nocturnal animals that are found primarily in the steppes and mountainous areas of Central Asia, where they live in rocky areas and grasslands. Not only are they characterized by their particularly dense fur structure, which protects them from the harsh climatic conditions, but they also have round ears and a short tail, which contribute to their survival.
Unique animals in Gdańsk
The male Manul, who was the first of his kind to come to Gdańsk Zoo, comes from Budapest as part of a European species conservation program. This initiative aims not only to promote genetic diversity but also to increase public interest in wildlife conservation. Emilia Salach, the director of the Gdańsk Zoo, emphasizes the importance of this introduction and the plans to build a new, spacious enclosure that will provide better living conditions for Manuel and his partner.
The manule, scientifically known as Otocolobus manul, reaches sexual maturity in the first year of life and can give birth to between 3 and 6 offspring, depending on environmental conditions and hunting success. Despite their hardiness, they have a high mortality rate, with about 70% of kittens not surviving in the wild.
Gdańsk Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and those interested can purchase tickets on site, at ticket machines or online. While the little manules remain hidden for the time being, the zoo-loving community is looking forward to the future developments of this fascinating species.
The Gdańsk Zoo is thus shaping a new era for the Manule and is making an important contribution to the protection of these remarkable wild cats.