UPDATE: Werribee Open Range Zoo is making headlines today with an exciting new initiative utilizing two tonnes of bamboo donated from Geelong Botanic Gardens. Zoo keepers are crafting innovative enrichment devices, including treat-dispensing totem poles and wind chimes, aimed at enhancing the lives of animals like giraffes, camels, nyala, and tammar wallabies.
Savannah Keeper Laura Harbridge shared the team’s enthusiasm about this sustainable project, saying, “We take inspiration from other zoos around the world, and our keepers and volunteers come up with ideas like, ‘how fun would it be to make a meerkat-apult?’” This creativity is transforming the way animals interact with their environment, encouraging natural behaviors and stimulating their minds.
The bamboo donation is not only a win for the zoo but also a significant step toward sustainability. Keelee Reissinger, coordinator at Geelong Botanic Gardens, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “We donated bamboo to Zoos Victoria to protect our heritage trees at the Geelong Botanic Gardens from being impacted by its growth. If it wasn’t reused, the bamboo would have gone to landfill and taken up to eight years to break down.”
Zoo visitors can also partake in this enriching experience through the Giraffe Behind-the-Scenes Experience, where they can help create their own bamboo feeding devices. This hands-on opportunity not only engages the public but fosters a deeper connection between visitors and the wildlife they cherish.
As more zoos look for innovative, eco-friendly solutions, Werribee Open Range Zoo sets a remarkable example of how creativity and sustainability can enrich animal welfare and promote environmental responsibility. Keep an eye on this developing story as more bamboo projects are likely on the horizon, promising to bring even more joy to both animals and visitors alike.
Stay tuned for updates on new developments at Werribee Zoo, where conservation and creativity go hand in hand!
