Summary:
1. More Community Volunteer Days at the Zoo
2. Silaging browse for herbivores
3. The process of ensiling and its similarities to lacto-fermentation
4. The importance of browse in zoo animal diets
More Community Volunteer Days are coming your way! Join us next Wednesday, September 13, and Saturday, September 16, from 8 – 11 a.m. to silage up some tasty browse for our herbivores to enjoy in the winter months. But also to save Sonny’s trunk because… Eugenia. 😆
Have you ever wondered how zoos prepare for the cold winter months? Besides cuddly animals and hot cocoa, one important aspect is ensuring our herbivores have enough food to keep them nourished and happy. That’s where you come in! We invite you to join our More Community Volunteer Days at the Zoo and participate in an exciting silaging browse activity.
But hold on, what exactly is browse? And what does silaging involve? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of ensiling and learn more about this unique process that helps us provide high-quality food for our animal residents.
First, let’s start with browse. In the context of our Zoo, browse refers to branches, twigs, leaves, and other leafy vegetative materials that our animals consume as part of their diets. While pellets and hay are important staples, browse adds variety and essential nutrients to their meals. Imagine being served a plate with the same meal daily – boring, right? Well, our herbivores feel the same way! They enjoy different types of browse to satisfy their natural foraging instincts and receive a range of vitamins and minerals.
Now, let’s move on to silaging. Silage is a process used to preserve food by making it more digestible, palatable, and nutritious for animals. It involves cutting browse into relatively short lengths that can be packed tightly into 35-gallon drums. This process helps to exclude air, promoting a lacto-fermentation process similar to that used in making sauerkraut, kimchi, or pickles. Fascinating. Who would have thought that making food for our animal friends could be similar to fermenting vegetables?
During our More Community Volunteer Days, we’ll guide you through the entire ensiling process. You’ll learn all about proper branch trimming techniques, the importance of size consistency, and how to pack the drums to ensure maximum preservation. As you work with our team, you’ll discover the critical role browse plays in the diets of our Zoo animals.
But why is browsing so crucial? Well, let’s consider the natural behaviors of herbivores. In the wild, animals spend a significant portion of their time foraging for food. They browse a variety of plants and trees, which helps keep their teeth healthy, provides them with essential nutrients, and satisfies their mental stimulation needs. Replicating this natural behavior in the zoo environment is vital for our animals’ overall well-being and enrichment.
That’s where our volunteers come in. By helping us silage browse, you’re contributing directly to the welfare of our herbivores. You’re ensuring they have a diverse and nutritious diet, even during winter when fresh plants may not be readily available. Plus, you’ll gain hands-on experience with an exciting preservation technique that connects food production to the natural world.
So, are you ready to embark on this wild and wonderful adventure? Join us on the More Community Volunteer Days and become a steward of nature. Together, we’ll make a difference in the lives of our animal residents, and who knows, you might even inspire others to engage with wildlife conservation!
Volunteers must be at least 13 years old, and an adult must accompany those under 18. Be sure to register to attend at www.omahazoo.com/special-events, and provide your contact information so our staff can relay instructions for the event.
Let’s preserve browse, delve into the fascinating process of ensiling, and bring smiles to the faces of our herbivorous friends. We can’t wait to see you there, ready to make a positive impact by simply lending a helping hand!
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Source Description
More Community Volunteer Days are coming your way!
Join us next Wednesday, September 13, and Saturday, September 16, from 8 – 11 a.m. to silage up some tasty browse for our herbivores to enjoy in the winter months. But also to save Sonny’s trunk because… Eugenia. 😆
Register to attend today: www.omahazoo.com/special-events
Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. An adult must accompany those under 18 years of age. Contact information must be provided for our staff to relay instructions for the event.
Together, we’ll preserve browse through ensiling, the same lacto-fermentation process that produces sauerkraut, kimchi, or pickles!
This process involves cutting browse into relatively short lengths that can be packed into 35-gallon drums. While trimming branches, you’ll learn more about the importance of browsing in our Zoo animal diets.
