Glendale branches out for zoo charity’s appeal

A wildlife conservation charity’s appeal for leafy treats for the inhabitants of ZSL London Zoo has been answered, thanks to national green services provider Glendale.

The company responded to a request through the London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) from ZSL (Zoological Society of London), which was on the lookout for browsing material.

Glendale is now making weekly deliveries of leafy green tree branches to ZSL London Zoo, providing a healthy treat to the Zoo’s many inhabitants, including camels and giraffes.

Branches are being sourced from trees within the London Borough of Harrow, including Alder, Lime, Willow and Birch, which are pruned as part of a cyclical maintenance programme Glendale delivers through its contract to provide arboriculture services to Harrow Borough Council. To date, approximately two tonnes of woodchip and 10m3 of leafy green branches have been provided to the Zoo.

Adrian Wickham, regional director for the south-east, said: “We know that the animals at ZSL London Zoo are given browsing material as an important part of their diets. As a conservation charity ZSL relies on donations, so we are more than happy to help out.

“The branches from a local maintenance programme we carry out are being put to great use and it’s great to see the animals enjoying our deliveries!”

ZSL’s Zoological Manager, Mark Habben, said: “Our animals are fed a carefully balanced diet, designed to ensure they get all of the nutrients they need and to mimic their wild eating habits.

“Browse – or leafy branches – are great for our hungry herbivores, and it’s even better to know that we’re recycling branches pruned from a maintenance project!”

Founded in 1826, ZSL is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.