The Alaska Zoo is accepting donations of Christmas trees to provide enrichment for its animals. The trees are enjoyed by a variety of animals, from polar bears to birds of prey.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Christmas may be over, but animals at the Alaska Zoo are still in the holiday spirit, thanks to those donating their trees. Taleah Reece, the Lead Polar Bear Keeper at the zoo, says the trees are natural toys for the bears and other animals. Reece says the trees are enjoyed by all, from wolverines and birds of prey to squirrels and musk ox. Hooved species nibble on the trees, then they’re taken to other exhibits.
“We’ll move them over to big cats or the bears and the other predators. They kind of like having that extra smell from the hoof stock,” Reece said. “It’s great just all over-enrichment long run. We get really excited to put them in everybody’s exhibits.” Reece calls it the “full circle effect,” not only saving the zoo money in the long run but also living up to its mission to promote ecological sustainability.Trees can be dropped off near the donation freezer in the zoo’s lower parking lot next to the greenhouses
Animals Alaska Zoo Christmas Trees Enrichment Sustainability
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