Branches from the Vienna Urban Area for Schönbrunn Capybaras

The capybaras at Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo are currently being served local fare: MA 49, the forestry and agricultural operation of the City of Vienna, has been regularly supplying the zoo with feed branches from the Vienna city area, such as from the Lobau, for many years, according to a press release from the zoo on Wednesday. Deliveries mainly occur in May and June. Thanks to the rainy spring, the foliage is particularly dense, green, and nutrient-rich this year, it was reported.

Fresh food not only for Schönbrunn capybaras

"Capybaras primarily eat hay, vegetables, and branches. As rodents, they need fresh wood for natural tooth wear, with willow, maple, and oak being particularly popular," explained zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. "What is green waste for others becomes a valuable resource in the zoo," said Günther Annerl, deputy head of MA 49. Not only the capybaras receive fresh food - many other animals such as elephants, rhinos, and giraffes do as well. Some of the foliage is also carefully plucked and frozen to provide food leaves for animal species like the colobus monkeys in winter.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.