Endangered Indian Rhinos From World’s Oldest Zoo Munch On Protected Woodland Treats

Endangered Indian rhinos at the world’s oldest zoo got a real treat after forest rangers delivered them fresh branches and twigs to munch on.

The species – listed as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN – were the first to get a true taste of spring at the Schoenbrunn Zoo, in the city of Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, 27th April.

Video footage shared by the zoo shows them nibbling and munching on crisp timber from the nearby Wienerwald, delivered by the Austrian Federal Forests (OeBf).

The Wienerwald, which is the famous Vienna Woods, is often known as the green lung of the city. It consists of a 45-kilometre-(30-mile-)long forested highland around Viernna that is 30-kilometre-(22-mile-)wide and is protected from building and development.

The OeBf has agreed to provide fresh beech, oak, willow, birch, ash, and maple, each week during the period of the timber harvest from April to October, as part of a mutual agreement with the zoo.

The approach should reportedly diversify the zoo residents’ menu.

Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “We are very happy about this cooperation with the Austrian Federal Forests.

“Many of our animals specialise in branches and bushes, so it is very important that we can make them available all year round.”

Director of the Austrian Federal Forests Andreas Gruber emphasised the importance of the cooperation and said: “As a nature company, we are committed to preserving biodiversity in our forests and beyond.

“In the cooperation with Schoenbrunn Zoo, it becomes clear that this mission unites us.

“The Wienerwald is known for its species-rich mixed forest. It is a pleasure for us to make this variety of regional deciduous trees available to Schoenbrunn Zoo.”