The Prague Zoo introduced the pods to the public
The first “Czech” pods were ceremoniously presented by the Prague Zoo on Sunday afternoon. The couple, imported from Taiwan, can finally be seen in the Indonesian Jungle pavilion’s night exhibit after completing a month’s quarantine. Luskouny was welcomed not only by the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek, but also by the guests – the mayor m of Prague Zdeněk Hřib, his deputy Petr Hlubuček and head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Czech Republic Liang-Ruey Ke. Breeder David Vala prepared a special fodder slurry for pods in front of the audience with the assistance of well-known chefs Roman Paulus and Marko Fichtner.
“Taiwanese journalists asked me if nutcrackers would be the superstars of our zoo. I answered them that probably not for the general public, rather they would interest those interested in nature and its protection.” said the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “I think it’s most important that we now have our ambassadors here very endangered and extremely interesting groups of animals.”
Both imported nutcrackers, male Guo Bao and female Run Hou Tang, were born at Taipei Zoo, which is their most prominent breeder. Prague Zoo has now become the only Czech garden and one of two in Europe that is proud of these scaly mammals. But the main motivation for breeding stems primarily from their threat. Nutcrackers are massively hunted in Africa and Asia and have long been among the most illegally traded mammals in the world.
The presentation of the pods was preceded by a program, the main part of which took place at the entrance to the Indonesian Jungle pavilion. It started with a dance performance by the Czech-Indonesian group Kintari, and the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek, gave the opening speech. Subsequently, the breeder David Valnů and the main visitors with the pitfalls of pod breeding with the assistance of acquaintances Marek Fichtner before the annual preparation of a special feed slurry for pods, which includes bee larvae. Those interested could then watch the first public feeding of the pod pair.
This was followed by interviews of the moderator Karel Voříšek not only with the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek, but also with the guests – with the mayor m of Prague by Zdenek Hřibe and his deputy Petr Hlubuček.
“The original Taiwanese names of the Luskie couple were somewhat more difficult for us to pronounce. We therefore let the public choose new nicknames for them by verified voting in a poll on the Pražana Portal. In the end, Hugo and Bean won,” added the mayor m Prague Zdeněk Hřib.
Before the very climax of the event – the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the entrance to the night exhibition of the pavilion – the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Czech Republic, Liang-Ruey Ke, together with representatives of the Prague Zoo and the City Hall, gave a symbolic toast to the health of the Polish couple. m of Prague.
We help them survive
The Prague Zoo strives to protect nutcrackers in their homeland, both in Central Africa and in South Asia. “In Cameroon, we support the guardians of protected areas as part of the Roaming Bus project, we try to reduce hunting by educating and educating the local population. In Laos and Sumatra, we financed the construction of rescue stations for nutmegs,” director Miroslav Bobek recalls conservation projects.
You can continue to support the protection of nutcrackers and other species by transferring any amount to the We help them survive collection account (office number: 43–680 466 0247/0100) or by purchasing souvenirs on the Prague Zoo e-shop in the section called We help them survive). And finally, of course, a visit to the Prague Zoo.