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Sustainable tradition: Christmas tree becomes an animal feast for Tahre!
On January 10, 2025, the Christmas tree from Schönbrunn Palace will be permanently handed over to the zoo to delight animals.
Sustainable tradition: Christmas tree becomes an animal feast for Tahre!
On January 10, 2025, an impressive tradition continued at Schönbrunn Zoo: The magnificent Christmas tree that decorated the palace's courtyard during the Christmas season was ceremoniously handed over to the zoo. This almost 100-year-old tree, provided by the Austrian Federal Forests from the Salzkammergut, is now used as a “healthy delicacy” for the Himalayan Tahre, who live in the newly designed 1,400 square meter facility. The tree, which was the focus of the Christmas market from November 8th, 2024 to January 6th, 2025, not only offers the animals food, but also a welcome change in their new home.
Tradition and sustainability go hand in hand
The handover of the tree was accompanied by Andreas Gruber, the board member of the Austrian Federal Forests, and Katrin Edtmeier, the managing director of the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market. Gruber said: “The handover of the Christmas tree to Schönbrunn Zoo is a cherished tradition.” This sustainable practice emphasizes the commitment to the circular use of resources and ensures that the festively decorated tree now offers the animals variety and opportunities to play, as the zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck also emphasized.
The Schönbrunn Zoo is not only home to exotic animal species, but also the habitat of many native wild animals. The treetop path, which leads high above the ground, gives visitors a spectacular view of the garden and castle. They can also experience the variety of animals that help preserve biodiversity, including native reptiles and amphibians, which are displayed in specially designed terrariums. These facilities promote awareness of nature and species protection and show the importance of each individual species the zoo reports.
The transfer of the Christmas tree not only maintains a beautiful tradition, but also promotes a sustainable future for the animals. It will be a welcome and informative addition to the Himalayan Tahre, who are particularly herbivorous. Next spring they will even have the company of Goldtakinen, which underlines the anticipation of the official opening of the new facility. These developments combine the magic of Christmas with an ongoing commitment to the environment and wildlife.