How it all started: In June, the two Murnau-Werdenfels cows living at Hellabrunn Zoo went on a 'honeymoon' to Gut Schwaiganger, a state-owned stud farm near Garmisch-Patenkirchen in Bavaria. There they met two domesticated bulls as part of a programme to produce offspring naturally. One of the two cows was successfully impregnated and returned to Hellabrunn Zoo in September. This cow is expecting her calf in spring 2022. On her return, she was accompanied by another cow from the Schwaiganger herd, who was also pregnant. The latter gave birth to the little baby boy on New Year's Day and will stay at Hellabrunn for some time.
"The newcomer has already settled in well in the Mühlendorf village at Hellabrunn and is getting along nicely with the rest of the group. It was her first birth and, as expected, she was a little anxious and nervous. But the keepers were on hand to assist her and took her to the stable, where she gave birth without a hitch,” says Carsten Zehrer, head of zoology at Hellabrunn Zoo. "We are glad that the little bull is in good shape after the birth and is doing well. He appears to be in good health and is cared for in an exemplary manner by his mother."
Rasem Baban, zoological director of Hellabrunn Zoo, says, “We are delighted that we can continue to develop the Mühlendorf village at Hellabrunn as a habitat and breeding site for endangered livestock breeds, such as with the birth of this young animal. The Murnau-Werdenfelser cattle breed, which is seldom reared, is particularly important to us here, as the conventional dairy industry, through its preference for high-performance cattle breeds, has dramatically reduced its population and it almost became extinct. It is therefore all the more important that zoos and recognised breeding institutions support each other."
Visitors will be able to see the newborn Murnau-Werdenfels bull in his outdoor enclosure in the Mühlendorf as soon as his general condition and the weather permit. He is expected to stay at Hellabrunn Zoo for the first half of 2022. However, the length of his stay will also depend on the recommendations of the local breeding association.