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Extremely Rare Bavarian Short‑Eared Mouse Breeds at Munich’s Hellabrunn Zoo

The newborn bolsters a coordinated ex‑situ program building a genetic reserve for eventual reintroduction.

Overview

  • Shortly after moving into a new mouse house, the breeding pair produced at least one juvenile, the zoo reports.
  • Hellabrunn currently counts only the mother, father and newborn as its Bavarian short‑eared mice.
  • Staff left the nest undisturbed for days after the birth, so the presence of additional pups remains unknown.
  • The species is listed as extinct or missing in Germany and as critically endangered in Austria, and was rediscovered in 2023 after decades without confirmed records.
  • Curator Lena Bockreiß calls the birth a small but significant success, as Hellabrunn works with Alpenzoo Innsbruck on an ex‑situ genetic reserve and potential future reintroductions.