Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Young Zebra from the Lobau Nibbles on Fresh Branches

According to its own information, MA 49 primarily delivers branches and leaves that accumulate during maintenance work in the Vienna city area. According to Forestry Director DI Petra Wagner, these arise, among other things, from safety cuts along paths, especially in Vienna's 21st and 22nd districts – in other words, in areas bordering the Lobau and the Danube Island. "With us, these branches and leaves are left over from maintenance work; at the zoo they are put to meaningful further use," Wagner said.

Supply Also in Winter

Zoo Director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck explained that part of the fresh leaves is carefully plucked and frozen in order to be able to supply certain animal species even in winter. As an example, he cited the bears. "The leaves are particularly important for feeding specialists that depend on leaves year-round," Hering-Hagenbeck added. This gives the leaves a role in feeding beyond the warm season.

The background to the cooperation is close regional collaboration between the city and the zoo. "This is a very nice regional cooperation that we are happy to continue," Wagner said. The zoo stated that it wants to continue its proven partnership with MA 49 and continue to use the supply of fresh greenery for the animals.

Significance for the Offspring

According to the zoo, the young zebra from the Lobau is part of the current offspring at the zoo. Such young animals are considered particularly receptive to enrichment material, which is why fresh branches and leaves have a firm place in the zoo's feeding and enrichment program, according to the zoo.

The zoo did not provide further details on request regarding the exact number of branches and leaf quantities delivered annually. Nor did the zoo publish any further details on the origin of the offspring from the Lobau or on the animal's breeding line.

The City of Vienna emphasizes that the quantities of branches and leaves accumulating during maintenance work in the city area would have to be disposed of anyway. Through the delivery to the zoo, they are put to meaningful use. Both sides spoke of a model that works well both ecologically and logistically.