They scurry around the zoo grounds and are most often found near the camels, the herd of zebras, and in the bison enclosure—we’re talking about the lively prairie dogs, which are often mistakenly referred to as meerkats.

At the end of May, the first young left their burrows. According to estimates, more than 50 prairie dog pups were born, and they are scattered across their favorite spots. These North American rodents live underground in burrows. They are considered masters of tunneling and burrow construction, so the exact number of pups can only be estimated.

There’s been a double dose of new arrivals in “Africa” in Eastern Styria. On June 5, 2020, an eland was born. This species is considered shy, even though adult elands can weigh up to one metric ton and have horns measuring 1.4 meters in length. Just one day later, another gelada birth marked the second baby monkey in three weeks. “In addition to the countless prairie dog pups, we’ve already recorded over 30 animal births this year,” says Doris Wolkner-Steinberger, managing director of the Landestiergarten, delighted with her new charges.

Visitors can admire the “animals of Eastern Styria” daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A fun day out on 46 hectares with no visitor limits is guaranteed, though purchasing an online ticket is still recommended.