Chestnuts for the zoo: The big autumn fruit collecting marathon!

Chestnuts for the zoo: The big autumn fruit collecting marathon!

In Neustrelitz, in the Mecklenburg Lake District, there is an exciting autumn fruit collection campaign that will soon come to an end. Both chestnuts and acorns can be dropped off at the zoo until Sunday. The organizers are enthusiastic about the response so far and report that almost ten tons of chestnuts and five tons of acorns have already been collected. Such initiatives are not only important for the nutrition of the animals in the zoo, but also help to reduce feed costs.

The collected fruits are pickled in brine, a process that is used to preserve food for a long time. This approach allows fall crops to be available during the colder months when fresh forage is scarce. Some animal species in particular benefit from this feeding method, which makes the winter months more bearable for them.

Opening times and purchasing options

Neustrelitz Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers visitors the opportunity not only to see the animals, but also to actively help. A similar campaign will also take place in the Ivenacker Tiergarten near Stavenhagen on Saturday, where chestnuts and acorns can also be purchased. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., anyone interested can hand in the fruits they have collected there for a small fee.

The success of this collection campaign shows how important cooperation between the zoos and the population is. Such joint efforts ensure that the animals are well looked after even in the cold season. Those responsible encourage everyone who is not yet involved to donate the autumn fruits they have collected in order to use these valuable resources and help the animals. This campaign is an excellent example of the connection between nature conservation and animal welfare, which is promoted by bringing in local fresh produce.

Additional information about the collection campaign, the zoos and their feeding methods can be found here.