The first Christmas for the Young Elk
Media release
Elks feed almost exclusively on conifers for months in winter. The young elk, which was born in June of this year, is already eagerly nibbling on silver fir, Nordmann fir and other trees.
Elks are gourmets. In winter, the elks at Langenberg Wildlife Park feed almost exclusively on conifers in addition to food cubes, just like their wild counterparts. "An adult elk eats 4 to 6 trees bare in winter – a juvenile perhaps half that," says Martin Kilchenmann, head of the animals department at Wildnispark Zurich. The nutrient-rich twigs, needles and buds are particularly popular. The animals prefer silver fir or Nordmann fir because they are less prickly. However, Norway spruce will also do in a pinch.
Christmas trees as winter food
Not only elks, but also deer, red and fallow deer, the european bison and ibex occasionally eat Christmas trees in Wildnispark Zurich. This is why Langenberg Wildlife Park needs around 20 to 30 trees every day.
After December 24, Coop and regional sales outlets such as 'Angermann Weihnachtsbäume', Landi Adliswil and Dorfgärtnerei Raschle deliver unsold trees to Langenberg Wildlife Park. Grünstadt Zürich also brings large neighborhood trees from the city of Zurich. These are put to good use as winter fodder. Used Christmas trees from private households cannot be used. Tinsel and wax residues would harm the animals and checking each individual tree would be too time-consuming.
Christmas for the young bull
The young elk bull, which was born at Langenberg Wildlife Park in June 2025, is also already eagerly nibbling on conifers. Young elks are nursed by their mother for around 6 months and then expelled, at the age of one year, before the next year's offspring is born. An adequate supply of nutrients in the first year of life is crucial for healthy development.
Further information:
Barbara Felix, Head of Marketing and Communication, phone 044 722 55 29, barbara.felix@wildnispark.ch
High-resolution images: Link to download
Legends:
- The six-month-old elk bull is already nibbling eagerly on conifers. Picture: Wildnisparkk Zurich , Stefan Eichholzer
- The unsold Christmas trees are a delicacy for moose. Picture: Wildnispark Zurich, Stefan Eichholzer
- Moose switch their diet to conifers in winter. Picture: Wildnispark Zurich, Stefan Eichholzer
