Zookeeper Transforms Hazardous Trees into Enrichment for Animals
Contrary to popular belief, the animals in Wildwood Zoo’s drive-through are NOT having a bonfire. Earlier this week, several hazardous trees that were removed from Wildwood Park were placed inside the enclosures. Not only was this a way to repurpose the trees, the animals also enjoy eating the bark and scratching on the trees.
“After cutting the hazard trees, we thought instead of just hauling the wood off to our organic site, that we would carry them into the pastures instead,” said Marshfield Parks & Recreation Zookeeper Steve Burns. “Our bison especially love to rub and scratch on the logs.”
Burns shared that when railroads and telegraph lines were first being constructed across the United States, bison would rub on the utility poles to the point of snapping them off.
“Someone had the idea to pound railroad spikes part way into the posts to deter rubbing. I’ll let you guess which posts the bison loved even more!” he said. “This was an easy way to help the bison rub off those thick winter coats.”
Next time you’re at Wildwood Park, be sure to wave at the animals. They won’t be roasting marshmallows, but instead enjoying a fun enrichment activity.
Related:
