Quck answer
Elephants at the Belfast Zoo in Northern Ireland are being treated to leftover Christmas trees as a special snack. The trees are a good source of roughage and vitamins for the pachyderms, who seem to enjoy the treat. This sustainable practice not only provides a healthy snack for the elephants, but also reduces waste and encourages recycling. The zoo hopes to continue this tradition in the future and encourages other zoos to do the same.
Wild Animals
An Asian elephant at Berlin zoo was pictured eating a leftover Christmas tree on January 3, 2017. TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
During Christmas, some people decorate their trees with holiday treats such as candy canes, gingerbread people, and popcorn. However, for some, the entire Christmas tree itself makes for a holiday treat, serving as both toy and treat alike.
For years, the Berlin zoo has been feeding its elephants Christmas trees. After the holidays, the elephants are given small trees to play with, lifting and throwing them with their trunks. When hungry, they hold the trees down with their feet and strip off the branches and needles to munch on. Just like humans, animals appreciate novelty and variety.
Before eating the trees, the elephants often carry them around and play with them like toys.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
This elephant at the Berlin zoo strips the branches off the Christmas tree.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
However, it is not advisable to donate your old tree to the local zoo. A zookeeper at the Berlin Zoo informed the Washington Post that the trees are unsold ones donated from local tree farms and vendors, rather than post-holiday discards from the general public. Trees kept indoors may have chemicals or other contaminants on them, and the elephants prefer to eat fresh, moist trees rather than the dried-up, crispy ones that many people may still have up well into the new year.
If you are considering inviting an elephant to your next dinner party and wondering what to serve, according to a Prague zookeeper, elephants in the Czech Republic prefer fir trees to spruce and like pine the least.
Even juvenile elephants enjoy snacking on Christmas trees.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
Zookeepers at the Berlin zoo have been feeding their elephants trees for years, always after Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Now That’s Interesting
Elephants are known for their excellent memory, so any chef considering serving Christmas tree to four-legged diners can feel confident in telling them they’re about to have a meal they’ll never forget.
FAQ
1. Why do elephants eat leftover Christmas trees?
Elephants are known to have a diverse diet that includes leaves, bark, fruits, and vegetables. The needles and branches of Christmas trees contain a high amount of nutrients that are beneficial for elephants. Additionally, Christmas trees are a sustainable food source for elephants as they are often discarded after the holiday season. Therefore, feeding leftover Christmas trees to elephants is a way to provide them with a nutritious and eco-friendly food option.
2. Are there any risks for elephants when eating Christmas trees?
While Christmas trees are generally safe for elephants to eat, there are some potential risks. Some trees may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals that can be harmful to elephants. Additionally, ingesting large amounts of needles can cause gastrointestinal issues such as blockages or irritation. It is important to ensure that the Christmas trees being fed to elephants are free from any harmful substances and are given in moderation.
3. Which elephant species can benefit from eating Christmas trees?
Most elephant species can benefit from eating Christmas trees as they all have similar dietary needs. African elephants and Asian elephants are the two main species that are commonly fed leftover Christmas trees. In zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, Christmas trees can be used as a form of enrichment for elephants as they provide a new and stimulating food option for the animals.
4. Can Christmas trees replace the regular diet of elephants?
No, Christmas trees cannot replace the regular diet of elephants. While they provide a nutritious snack, they do not contain all of the necessary nutrients that elephants need to thrive. Elephants require a varied diet that includes a range of fruits, vegetables, and plant matter to ensure that they are getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals that they need.
5. How can feeding elephants leftover Christmas trees benefit the environment?
Feeding elephants leftover Christmas trees can benefit the environment in a number of ways. First, it is a sustainable way to dispose of the trees after the holiday season, rather than sending them to a landfill. Second, it reduces the amount of waste that is produced, which helps to decrease the carbon footprint of the holiday season. Finally, by providing elephants with a new food source, it reduces the pressure on natural habitats and can help to conserve the wild plants that elephants would otherwise eat.
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