"O Christmas tree" for the moose in Langenberg

"The need for conifers in the zoo is great in winter. Our moose switch their diet from deciduous trees to conifers at the end of October. Conifers are also a popular change in the menu for other wild animals during the cold season. Przewalski's horses, deer, bison and ibex also like the prickly surprises," explains Martin Kilchenmann, Head of Animals at Zurich Wilderness Park. So what could be more appropriate than feeding unsold Christmas trees to moose? The success story of the animal Christmas tree recycling has a long tradition and has been practiced since the beginning of elk husbandry at Langenberg Zoo in 1969.

 

Thanks to an established cooperation with Coop, hundreds of Christmas trees are delivered to Langenberg from various stores after December 24th. Local sales outlets and Landi Adliswil also make their surplus trees available to the zoo. Well meant is not well done: used Christmas trees from private households cannot be fed to the animals. Tinsel and wax residues would harm the animals. Checking every single tree is too time-consuming.

 

There will hardly be any leftovers: An adult moose eats four to six conifers a day. The animals particularly love the nutrient-rich parts of plants such as twigs, buds and needles - so these gourmets and foraging specialists choose their food very carefully. In spring, summer and fall, moose eat willow, birch, hazel, beech and maple trees.

Watch the report on Tele Züri.