The cub is typical for its camouflage coloration. Its fur is decorated with stripes and dots just like adult females. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The first cub of 2025 was born at the Prague Zoo. It was the West African sitatunga antelope. The new addition to the herd was born in the early morning hours and is doing well, according to breeders. The little female became the 442nd cub of this species in the Prague Zoo, which has been breeding West African sitatungs continuously since the 1960s.
The baby sucks mother’s milk without any problems and the experienced mother takes excellent care of it. From birth, this species, formerly known as the mud antelope, has long claws and claws that prevent digging into soft ground. West African sitatungs live near rivers, lakes or wetlands and flee into shallow water in case of danger. Their hooves expand when stepped on and function similarly to snowshoes.
Females are pregnant for 220-250 days and give birth to one young. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Sexual dimorphism is typical for West African sitatungs, females are smaller, rusty and hornless. Males, on the other hand, are brownish gray and boast spiral horns and a long mane.
Visitors to the Prague Zoo can usually find this traditionally bred species in the Water World in the lower part of the premises. However, this is a heat-loving species of antelope, so our herd is more in the hinterland during the cold months. With the arrival of spring, people can look forward not only to this New Year’s cub, but also to three more females that were born in the last three weeks.