Christmas trees – a feast for moose and red deer

Invitation to the press event in the Wildnispark Zürich

Moose are voracious. An adult moose eats four to six conifers a day in winter. But they picky eaters – they prefer silver fir and Nordmann fir because their spikes are not as hurtful. However, Norway spruce will also do in a pinch.

Other wild animals in the Langenberg also occasionally eat conifers during the cold season – such as roe deer, red and fallow deer, bison and ibex. The Wildnispark Zurich needs 20 to 30 trees a day. It is therefore a great relief for the employees that Coop, Grün Stadt Zürich and other companies deliver their unsold trees to Wildnispark Zurich. «The stock usually lasts until the end of March, after which we collect the trees from forests in the surrounding area,» explains Christoph Spuler, Head of Ranger and Landscape Management.

No trees from private households

Used Christmas trees from private households cannot be brought to Wildnispark Zurich. Tinsel and wax residues would harm the animals. Checking each individual tree is too time-consuming.

Winter: Animals in survival mode

Moose not only switch to other forage plants in winter, they also reduce their body temperature to save energy and their heartbeat slows down as well.
Red deer are known to reduce their metabolism in very cold temperatures too. Their body temperature drops and their heartbeat is reduced by up to 60 percent. Their inner stomach surface also shrinks because less food is absorbed in winter. This type of hibernation is only possible if the animals feel absolutely safe. Every time they escape, their metabolism has to be revved up from economy mode to full operation. It is therefore important to avoid the wildlife rest areas when doing winter sports off-piste and to stay on the signposted routes and paths when walking in winter and not to startle wild animals.

Further information:

Zurich Wilderness Park: Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communications, 044 722 55 22, mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch

Image and film material

You can find the photos in high resolution under this link.

Captions:

Photo: The unsold Christmas trees are a delicacy for moose. (Photo: Wildnispark Zurich Foundation/Stefan Eichholzer)

Photo: Moose switch their diet to conifers in winter. (Photo: Wildnispark ZurichFoundation/Stefan Eichholzer)