What vegetation will zoos take off your hands?

Friday, 7 April 2023

Concrete enclosures and chimpanzee tea parties were once common, but 100 years after its founding the zoo is now a bastion of conservation.

The start of a long weekend may be the perfect time to tackle an overgrown garden, but disposing of all the unwanted vegetation, it may make a giraffe or an elephant very happy.

And with some plants like bamboo, which can’t be disposed of as green waste, could save you taking it to the dump.

New Zealand zoos sometimes accept donations of certain browse (leafy vegetation), which is then passed on to the animals as food, spaces for animals to hide, nest and shelter and something for rodents to gnaw on.

So what exactly can you provide to the plant-loving creatures? And which animals will most treasure your garden trash?

* Chimp raised among children after being rejected at birth hits the big Five O at Hamilton Zoo

* Joy to heartbreak: endangered baby gorilla dies at US zoo

How can I donate?

Auckland Zoo has a form on their website in which members of the public can fill out with details on what they want to give.

A staff member told Stuff they are always keen to receive vegetation from the public and that the animals, “really enjoy it”.

Although they do need to make sure the animals will enjoy, and be safe with, anything donated. So once you’ve made your offer, wait for a staff member to be in touch.

Both Wellington and Hamilton Zoos also confirmed to Stuff that they do accept some donations, but there are no website forms, so the best idea is to get in touch direct via email.

Burma the elephant eats “quite a lot”, according to an Auckland Zoo staff member.

What animals benefit?

While Auckland Zoo said a lot of the animals get enjoyment from donations, the ones that are fed the browse are “essentially our herbivores”.

“The elephant and giraffes are the main ones.”

“We are calling out for as much as we can. The animals love to have it,” he said.

While the zoo is always on the lookout for donations, they also regularly post on social media if they are after something specific.

In November last year, the zoo called on, “our generous, green-fingered community” for browse to feed the Asian elephant Burma, “as part of her varied nutritional diet”.

Are there any rules?

Before clearing out unwanted plants, they may come in handy for zoo herbivore residents.

Safety and enjoyment for the animals is high-priority, so the plants definitely need to be free from any pesticides and sprays.

There are also specific plant types that will be suitable, so it’s not simply a matter of clearing out your weeds and dropping them off.

What plants will they take?

The best option is to contact the zoo directly to see if they are interested in what you have to offer, but Auckland Zoo said they have a full list of accepted plants on the website and other zoos will consider any offers based on what they need.

In high demand in Auckland is puka, monstera, banana palm, ficus, feijoa, acacia, poplar and liquid amber.

They may also accept bamboo, giant bird of paradise, koromiko, willow, hibiscus, pōhutukawa and she oak.

Will they pick up?

Yes, both Auckland and Hamilton Zoo will pick up your donations if you are local. A Hamilton Zoo staff member told Stuff that the grounds team will come and help cut down the plants if your offer of donation is accepted.