Vienna, Austria - July 25, 2024

At Vienna Zoo, four lively coati cubs are delighting visitors with their playful antics in a specially designed enclosure. Born blind and deaf at the end of March, these adorable youngsters spent their initial months under the attentive care of their mother in a cozy nest within the indoor habitat. Now, they are eagerly exploring their new surroundings, climbing trees, foraging for insects, meat, and fruit, and occasionally cuddling together in a group.

Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, the zoo director, describes the cubs' activities with enthusiasm: "Our visitors can observe them with their noses to the ground and tails in the air, demonstrating their natural agility and curiosity." He also notes the mother's watchful eye, ensuring the safety of her offspring as they venture further afield.

The coati, native to the tropical forests of South America, has adapted well to the recently redesigned 1,400 square meter enclosure, originally intended for spectacled bears. This shared living space showcases the coatis' prowess as climbers, utilizing the newly added tree trunks and plants for exploration and play.

While the coatis and spectacled bears coexist peacefully, the young coatis maintain a respectful distance from their larger companions, recognizing that curiosity has its limits even in a zoo setting.