Vienna, Austria - May 14, 2024

The Austrian Federal Forestry Service delivers fresh foliage from the Vienna Woods to Vienna Zoo

Springtime brings more than just warmth and blossoms—it also brings a feast for the giraffes at Vienna Zoo. Starting this week, the Austrian Federal Forestry Service will deliver a truckload of branches and twigs from local trees such as beech, oak, willow, birch, ash, maple, and various shrubs to the zoo every week. The fresh greenery, collected during timber harvesting and forest road clearance in the nearby Vienna Woods, is a crucial component of the giraffes' diet.

"In their natural habitat, giraffes primarily consume leaves. It's not just about the nutrients; the animals wrap their tongues around the leaves and skillfully tear them off. This stimulates saliva production and is essential for digestion," explains zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck.

To kick off this year's collaboration, Andreas Gruber, CEO of the Austrian Federal Forestry Service, personally handed over the first branches to the long-necked residents. "We are committed not only to climate-resilient forests but also to promoting biodiversity on our lands. This shared goal connects us with Vienna Zoo. We are delighted to provide the zoo's animals with a taste of the diversity of our forests," said Gruber.

In addition to the giraffes, many other animals, including elephants, rhinoceroses, sloth bears, reindeer, and water buffalo, benefit from the fresh branches, which serve as a valuable natural supplement to their diets.