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Got the Scoop: Okapi Zawadi Back in Leipzig Zoo, Playing Hard to Weigh
For some time now, Okapi female Zawadi, a resident from Poland, has made her triumphant return to Leipzig Zoo, now acclimating to her fresh digs. Despite the settling-in period, there's one humble hurdle she's yet to conquer—the weigh-in. Enter zoo keeper Tana Schleinschock to champion the cause.
Leipzig Zoo: One obstacle giving Zawadi pause
Some two weeks since her homecoming, Zawadi is already getting the hang of Leipzig Zoo's routines. "She remembers it all," Tana shares with the camera crew. "So most things are just old hat to her." However, there's one small hitch—being weighed. The cruel irony? No scale in Poland.
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It's not surprising that Zawadi is initially reluctant to step on the scale. Tana, however, is a pro in clever luring. With the help of a verdant feeding tray. "I had wished for a bit from the meadow," she confides upon seeing the delivery, "but it's all Mirabelle." The catch? Mirabelle isn't her top choice. "We'll see if she comes or not. Hopefully, the green will do the trick," Tana remains resilient.
Keeper wins Zawadi over with persistence and affection
Little by little, Tana eases her way towards Zawadi, Mirabelle in hand. "Here, sweetheart," she coos softly. "Take your time, no rush." And lo and behold, Zawadi streams confidently towards the scale, clocking in at 264 kilograms. "She's in tip-top shape," the assessment follows.
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Indeed, Zawadi has been packing on the pounds ever since her re-entry into Leipzig Zoo, gaining nearly a kilogram each day thanks to Tana's diligent care. "All thanks to Tana's meticulous attentiveness," the commentator notes. After being weighed, Zawadi receives a Salt Lick Stone, her ultimate stall indulgence. "It's her favorite mineral treat in the house," Tana divulges. "She tends to inhale it whole. Whenever we're weighing her, she roams the box freely and licks the stone—just one of her quirks," Tana explains further.
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Insight: Okapis are notorious for their shyness, so Zawadi's hesitation in being weighed can be attributed to her considerable reserve. At Leipzig Zoo, trained keepers like Tana frequently use positive reinforcement methods, such as offering treats and maintaining a calm demeanor, to encourage cooperation from Okapis during routine visits like weigh-ins.
At Leipzig Zoo, a home-and-garden haven, Zawadi, the acclimating Okapi, demonstrates a reluctance towards weigh-ins, a common lifestyle challenge for these shy creatures. To aid Zawadi, keeper Tana Schleinschock turns to pet-friendly treats, using Mirabelle greens as a lure to encourage Zawadi to step onto the scale.
