Monday, July 25, 2016

Browse has Another Meaning


photo from Morguefile


From Sunday 7/17/16 Dallas Morning NewsGetting Their Greens by Claire Z. Cardona

This was an exceptionally interesting article. Here's my synopsis:

Dallas zookeepers are able to keep elephants happy with truckloads of greenery from city parks. In a key partnership, the keepers have access to branches and vegetation, called “browse”. Elephants and other zoo animals crave their fresh veggies. Basically every other Wednesday, keepers follow city workers around golf courses and gather the “browse”. This keeps a lot of stuff out of the landfill, and it’s cheap food for the zoo. All parties are happy.

The city is expanding the plan to almost 400 parks. Wow. Daily enrichment means healthier elephants. Apparently elm is a favorite. It’s also exercise for the elephants as they strip limbs. They are occupied and it keeps their teeth healthy too  Per the article, an adult female elephant weighs between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds and eats 200 to 300 pounds of food a day. Elephants eat hay, grains, fruits and vegetables. This volume of “browse” helps immensely. Seventy other species of animals enjoy different varieties too.


Spread the word to any animal habitats, and coordinate resources. Make an elephant happy!

18 comments:

  1. it's always great when we can find ways to reduce waste while also fulfilling a need.

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    1. exactly. I was glad the newspaper brought this "good" idea to our attention. Kudos to the parks and zoo

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  2. I like reading stories like this. To me, it is a win-win situation. Less going into the land fill and keeping elephants happy. Its a good thing all around!

    betty

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  3. Now that's smart and kills two birds with one stone.

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  4. That is a great way to be indeed. A win win for each

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  5. An excellent idea, thanks for sharing.
    Yvonne.

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  6. I've never heard this definition of "browse," and what a wonderful way to recycle the trimmed greens! Very cool!

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    1. It caught my eye in the old fashioned newspaper. This is why we subscribe

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  7. Oh, I didn't know that.
    Thanks!

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    1. I didn't either and was happy for the article

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  8. Hi Joanne - clever idea .. and they do eat a lot of 'greenery' ... cheers Hilary

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