Two major Leicestershire attractions have joined forces this week in a mutually beneficial arrangement of quite an unusual nature. Snibston Country Park rangers were approached by staff from Twycross Zoo with a problem that they are happily able to solve. The rangers have been asked to help feed the giraffes and elephants at the zoo with the leftover cuttings from their land management of the park. The rangers have been collecting cuttings or ‘brash’, as it is technically termed, from their hedge-laying activities and coppicing over the autumn and winter period. They normally have the job of disposing of all of this plant debris which is often a time consuming and difficult activity.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Two major Leicestershire attractions have joined forces this week in a mutually beneficial arrangement of quite an unusual nature.
Snibston Country Park rangers were approached by staff from Twycross Zoo with a problem that they are happily able to solve. The rangers have been asked to help feed the giraffes and elephants at the zoo with the leftover cuttings from their land management of the park.
The rangers have been collecting cuttings or ‘brash’, as it is technically termed, from their hedge-laying activities and coppicing over the autumn and winter period. They normally have the job of disposing of all of this plant debris which is often a time consuming and difficult activity. It consists of shredding the wood and making woodchip, which is then used for habitat piles for insects and as a mulch around trees and shrubs, but there is always plenty to spare.
The delicious cocktail of willow, hawthorn and hazel is apparently a favourite of Twycross’s elephants, giraffes and other exotic species. Head Snibston ranger Dave Luther said: “This was quite an unusual request I have to admit, but we’re really pleased to be able to help out a fellow attraction. It’s great for us because we have so much material to spare. We’re hoping to extend this service out across all of the County Council Country Parks so the famous elephants of Twycross won’t go hungry!”
Twycross PR/Marketing Executive, Kim Riley said: “Giraffes and elephants devour a vast quantity of browse ( tree branches and bushes ) which can be quite difficult to source on site. We do not wish to destroy the beautiful trees and shrubs within the Zoo so the donation from Snibston is greatly appreciated, this is a most unique way to recycle”.
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