Grief in the Cologne Zoo: Queen of the Laden Capidas Died

Grief in the Cologne Zoo: Queen of the Laden Capidas Died

A current event from the Cologne Zoo has triggered concern in many places. The death of the queen of leaf cutting chains has not only influenced the fate of the animal species in the zoo, but also that of the entire colony that depends on the continued existence of this special way.

sad effects of the queen death

As announced by the zoo on Thursday, July 25th, the ant queen, who lived over two decades, died. This long service life is remarkable because the Monogyne Art, known as Atta Cephalotes , is usually only about 15 years old in nature. As a result, the remaining sexless workers can only live for a few weeks, which means a massive mass extinction for the colony.

threatening future for the colony

The Situation in the Cologne Zoo shows the challenges with which animal husbandry is faced. The zoo finds that an ant colony in nature has no chance of survival without its queen. One visitor said on Facebook: "I always thought: the queen dies, 'grows' a worker to the queen." This widespread assumption clearly shows how little the audience is informed about the special life cycles and the structure of insect colonies.

The search for a new queen

To continue the colony in the Cologne zoo, the Zoo's team hopes to find a new queen soon. However, the zoo emphasizes that this search is "not easy". In addition, the system is renovated, which indicates that responsibility for rearing a new colony is a complex undertaking.

public reaction and animals in the care of humans

The news about the death of the queen has not only triggered sad reactions; Many visitors show sympathy for the animals and their situation. An animal lover emphasized: "Oh no. I could always watch them for a long time." This shows the emotional band between the visitors and the animals, which they often consider as part of their leisure activities.

meaning for nature conservation and animal husbandry

Overall, this incident illustrates the fragile structures in the wildlife and the responsibility of zoos not only to keep the animals in their care, but also to ensure their reproduction and preservation. The Cologne Zoo will do everything possible in the future to ensure the survival of the leaf cutting edges and to clarify any existing misunderstandings about the lifestyle of insects.

- Nag