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Read moreChristmas trees as a feast for the moose
Conifers are essential for the survival of moose in winter. An adult animal eats four to six trees a day. Fortunately, numerous stores in the region donate their unsold Christmas trees to Langenberg Zoo.
Like their wild counterparts, the moose at Langenberg Zoo feed on conifers in winter. Their appetite is huge: an adult moose eats four to six trees a day. This is why the unsold Christmas trees that Langenberg Zoo receives after December 24 are very welcome.
"Traditionally, we receive most of the Christmas trees from Coop, with others supplied by Landi," explains Martin Kilchenmann, Head of Animals at Zurich Wildlife Park. 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.
Moose have an interesting diet
Moose are gourmets and choose their food carefully: The ruminants particularly like the twigs, buds and needles of Christmas trees. These are the most nutritious parts of the plant. They are particularly fond of Nordmann firs because they are less prickly.
In summer, they eat the foliage of willow, ash, hazelnut and maple. But they also eat aquatic plants. For some underwater delicacies, the moose even dive up to six meters deep. No other animal in the deer family can dive. The moose can do this because they can close their nostrils.
Media event:
We invite media representatives to Langenberg Zoo for questions, photos and filming. A zookeeper will be on hand to answer questions. Please register by December 19, 23 at mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch.
Wednesday, December 20 from 10-11 a.m. at the elk house
Location: Albisstrasse 4, 8135 Langnau am Albis.
Please use the parking facilities near the pedestrian bridge. A few steps after entering the western part is the moose enclosure with the moose house.
Further information:
Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communications, telephone 044 722 55 24, mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch
High-resolution images in ZIP below
Captions:
- Moose switch their diet to conifers in winter.
Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation/Stefan Eichholzer - The scent of Christmas is in the air: moose eat conifers, but they can also close their noses to dive for aquatic plants.
Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation/Stefan Eichholzer - Christmas tree feast 2023: The moose enjoy fresh conifers in rainy weather.
Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation/Abigél Schnellmann
