Christmas trees at the zoo

13februari2013
Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
The December holidays are over and the Christmas tree has been done away with: replanted, incinerated or thrown into the compost. Or given to a zoo! In many zoos, Christmas trees are being used for environmental enrichment.
Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands) is one zoo that uses discarded Christmas trees to help stimulate chimpanzees, elephants, tigers or bears. The public was invited to bring their trees on Epiphany (January 6), provided that the trees were not treated with flame retardants or artificial snow. Animal keepers double-checked all trees for forgotten decorations or chocolate wreaths. For each usable tree, donors received a discount on zoo admission; and each tree provided animals with an object for pleasurable gnawing, play or claw-sharpening.

Gorilla's in Burgers'Zoo (Netherlands) enjoy the Christmas trees (see picture).