SUSTAINABILITY
PLANTS Cultivating a range of plants on-site keeps Zoos Victoria’s animals well-fed and it’s a win for sustainability. Stewart
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hen you visit any of our three zoos, you’ll notice that the animals like eating, playing with and perching on plants — but have you ever wondered where all this green matter comes from? The answer is that much of it is grown at Zoos Victoria’s very own on-site plantations, designed to supply food sources and enrichment to the animals all year round.
Werribee’s green scene
“Eland eat acacia, giraffes really like melaleuca and camels eat just about anything,” says Craig Shalders, Horticulture and Grounds Manager at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Tasked with managing a plantation
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Clockwise from top: Western Lowlands Gorilla; Giraffe; Koala; Zoo Keeper, Kelly Hobbs, carrying browse for gorillas.
of 25,000 trees that produce 60,000 pieces of plant material each year for both Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo, Craig has a good understanding of what needs to be on the menu. From bamboo to mulberry, willow to fig, a wide range of plants are grown to ensure all the animals’ dietary needs are met. Beyond nutritional benefits, plants also have a positive impact on animal behaviour. “The health and welfare benefits of giving animals access to fresh vegetation, or browse, are well known,” says Craig. “The Life Sciences team at Zoos Victoria has highlighted that browse helps to promote positive behaviour in the animals, so there’s an ongoing need for it.” While operating a plantation of this scale is a considerable job, Craig
IMAGES: JO HOWELL, WILL WATT
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