Zoo's Elephants and Giraffes Enjoy Christmas Tree Feast

At the Berlin Zoo, elephants and other animals are reveling in a post-Christmas tradition of unwrapping festive leftovers. As part of an annual event, unsold Christmas trees are given to animals, providing them with both nourishment and entertainment. Elephants eagerly tear branches with their trunks, flinging them around or consuming the greenery. The zoo ensures these trees come only from trusted vendors, avoiding any potential contamination from trees sourced from the public.

Florian Sicks, the zoo's mammal curator, emphasizes the dual purpose of the trees. "They don't just serve as food, they are also used to keep the animals occupied," Sicks noted. He further explained how the animals engage with the trees—wrestling, rubbing against them, and sometimes even using them for creative play. This enrichment is pivotal for the animals' well-being and adds joy to their daily routines, providing much-needed stimulation and engagement.

This year, the ritual expanded to include giraffes, who were given their own hanging treats for the first time. While Max took to munching on the greenery with enthusiasm, his companion Mugambi remained cautious after initially checking it out. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)