© Emile Mentz
At Parc Merveilleux in Luxembourg, Iberian wolf cubs, red pandas, penguins and alpacas are among the new arrivals, as staff carefully nurture the next generation of rare and much-loved species.
From Iberian wolves to red pandas, alpacas, turtles, and penguins – new arrivals at the Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg are always a reason to celebrate. The birth of baby animals is not just a moment of joy for visitors but also a sign that the animals are adapting well to their environment.
In recent weeks, several new additions have been welcomed at the park. The most exciting, however, is the birth of a litter of Iberian wolves, a species considered near extinction and rarely seen in zoos.
Dr Guy Willems, the zoo's head veterinarian, offered RTL exclusive access to the restricted areas of the park where the maned wolves are being raised away from the public eye.
"And then it gets exciting for us", Willems shared. "We go to the wolves, but we're allowed to go in where visitors usually don't. That way we can get the chance to see them today. The wolves, who have known for a long time that we're there, have smelled us. And then suddenly we got the chance."
So far, staff believe they have spotted five cubs, but the exact number remains uncertain.
Read also – Video: New Iberian Wolf pups make first appearance at Parc Merveilleux
"Three, four cubs, they were reported somewhere. We also had world cameras set up. Well, they all look the same, hey", Willems explained. "We see the mother running around with a little one four times. But how many different little ones? We don't know that for sure yet."
The wolves are part of a European breeding programme focused on preserving endangered species from northern Portugal and northern Spain, a mission the zoo is proud to support.
"Sometimes, they are there, and we are very happy about it", Willems added. "They are also part of a breeding program, a European breeding program that wants to preserve the endangered animal species of northern Portugal, northern Spain."
While the cubs are still too young to be on public display, the wait won't be too long.
"Now that they are two or three months old, they will be running around with their parents, and we will see them and then we will welcome the visitors", said Willems.
But it is not just the maned wolves stealing the spotlight. This year, the zoo also celebrated the arrival of red panda cubs, another victory for conservation.
"Here we are with the pandas, and this year we got permission from the coordinator of the breeding programme to focus on them", Willems explained. "That means we can put them in the place where our little ones are. And we got two little ones two weeks ago."
Elsewhere in the park, penguins are being hand-fed by zookeepers, not just for nourishment, but to prepare them for future medical care.
"And now they're getting used to eating from your hand", Willems said. "Which is very important, for example, to give them medicine, extra minerals, vitamins. They get a fish with the pills in it, and they take them. After a few days, they'll get them themselves from the zookeeper, who is their best friend."
Parc Merveilleux, which first opened its gates on 17 May 1956, is home to more than 200 animal species from five continents. Today, it welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year and continues to play a key role in European wildlife conservation.
"However, the visitor will have to be patient for a few more months to get the pleasure of admiring the little ones", Willems cautioned. "But there is also enough to see without seeing the wolves, and if I'm being completely honest, I have been a customer at the park for several decades and I have always liked it with or without the cubs."
