Discovery trip in the Leipzig Zoo: Hidden Worlds of the jellyfish

Discovery trip in the Leipzig Zoo: Hidden Worlds of the jellyfish

In the Leipzig zoo, visitors can admire a variety of fascinating animal species, from majestic tigers to the playful koalas. Nevertheless, a group of very special animals remains invisible to the guests. The zoo curator Till Ramm grants "Elefant, Tiger & Co." in the latest podcast "Elefant, Tiger & Co." an insight into the secret residents of the zoo who are not exhibited due to their dangerous nature.

jellyfish, often dismissed as boring sea creatures, are the stars of the latest episode. There are a variety of jellyfish in the zoo, including the remarkable ear whom. These animals have an extraordinary ability: they have small bindings on the edge of their umbrellas, in which there are a total of six eyes. Two of these eyes are similar to human eyes and are able to create impressive images. "However, how the pictures are processed is a difficult question," notes Till Ramm in the conversation.

The secret life of the jellyfish

A fascinating part of the life cycle of the jellyfish not only impresses the researchers, but also provides an insight into the complexity of the reproduction of these animals. Jumps run through both sexual and asexual stages in their lives. First, the males release sperm into the water that is absorbed by females - a process that leads to the formation of larvae. These larvae settle and develop into polyben. In this state, the animals can increase by cell division and "strobil" under the right conditions to create new jellyfish. However, these fascinating polyps are not accessible to visitors. "We have the polyps separately behind the scenes," explains Till, since they need special living conditions that cannot tolerate the jellyfish.

Another example of the animal species that are not present in the Leipzig Zoo is the Australian Seewespe. This jellyfish is notorious for its extreme toxicity. "It depends on how big the places that come into contact with the tentacles ... then it can quickly become life -threatening," warns Till Ramm. Despite a developed antidote, it can be problematic to help the victims in good time, since the period between contact with the poison and the death is often only between five and twenty minutes. For this reason, the zoo decided not to keep these dangerous animals. "No, we will not think that here. That would be too dangerous," says the curator, whose opinion is more than understandable in this question.

The fact that some of the most fascinating sea creatures are held behind closed doors is putting the challenges and dangers in the foreground with which zoos are confronted when it comes to presenting their animals. Such considerations are certainly also an additional security for the staff, which is often entrusted with the care of these animals. The question arises whether the contact with such dangerous animals is really necessary with regard to the public -friendly preparation of the animal world, or whether the protection has a top priority for both animals and people here.

The responsibility of the zoo

interested listeners have the opportunity to hear the entire podcast sequence and to learn more about the secret living beings of the Leipzig zoo. The interaction between security and educational mandate for visitors is examined in more detail in the podcast. Zoos are not only places for entertainment; They also have a responsibility for the species protection and the elucidation of the public. The selection of which animals are shown and which are not, could play an important role in the terrain and species protection.

information about jellyfish and your biology

jellyfish, also known as meduses, are fascinating sea creatures that have existed for millions of years. They belong to the class of nettle animals and have a unique life cycle that includes both sexual and asexual reproduction. The most common species in the German waters are the ear whom and the Murex jelly that occur in the Baltic Sea.

The body of a jellyfish consists of about 95% of water, which makes it relatively difficult to catch for many animals that need a thicker and more stable body structure. These transparent creatures have developed a special locomotion technology by moving through rhythmic pulling the umbrella, which gives them a certain amount of control over their movements in the water.

body structure and senses

The eyes that Till Ramm mentions in the podcast are remarkable for their simplicity and effectiveness. Jumps have a rudimentary nervous system and can react to light and pain effects. This primitive nervous system enables you to navigate and prey in the water without having a real brain. The ability to explore large wide water surfaces also depends on the current and temperature, which influences their reproductive habits.

The dangers of encounter with jellyfish

The Australian Seewespe is known for its strong poison, which is considered one of the most deadliest toxins in the animal kingdom. The stings can cause Severe pain reactions, cardiac arrest or even death, which makes them serious risk of people who are traveling in the waters in which they live. According to the World Health Organization, dealing with such species is considered extremely risky, and the prevention measures are crucial for the safety of swimmers.

A stab can take place extremely quickly, and emergency care must be done within a very short time. In Australia, where this species occurs more often, there are medical facilities that specialize in the treatment of such stitches in order to increase the chances of survival. The challenges associated with the attitude of such toxic animals in zoos are not only shown in the physical dangers, but also in the special requirements for aquarium technology and care.

assembly of security standards in zoos

In order to ensure the safety of employees and visitors, zoos have developed strict protocols. These include special aquariums with security devices, regular training courses for personnel in dealing with toxic animals and emergency scenarios that are played through. The Leipzig Zoo probably has similar standards to minimize potential risks.