--- In AZH@..., Zoogardener66@... wrote:
>
> Hello everyone!
> I was wondering if I may get your input on Browse.
> What do all of your Zoos do to obtain browse?
> Do you grow it or buy it.?
> Or do you do both?
> If you do grow it: who is in charge of it, how many staff members are
> involved.?
>
> The Toronto Zoo has had the good fortune of having large rural areas
around
> it. Over the last 30 years we used these areas to obtain our
browse. Due to
> urbanization of these areas we have lost that now. We have also
browsed the
> large site we sit on. But this is not enough to meet the demands.
> The Horticulture Department at the Toronto Zoo is looking to build
Browse
> Gardens around 3 of our main pavilions. These will accommodate key
species
> within each building.
> But we will have to do much more.
>
> So please will you share with me how each of your Zoos accommodates
their
> animal collections.
>
> Thank you in advance,
> Clare Wharton
> Toronto Zoo.
>
Hi Clare...
a great start to an inhouse browse garden would be willow...either
river willow or weeping willow...it grows very fast and it is a
favorite of primates and hoofstock...
there are species of bamboo which grow well in northern climates that
are well liked also...
both river willow and bamboo can be extremely invasive...
hope this helps...
Dan Powell
Primate keeper
Potawatomi Zoo