Moonee Valley Council donates fig trees to Melbourne Zoo elephants

The elephants at Melbourne Zoo have got some new food on the menu, thanks to a northern suburbs council that donated its unwanted fig trees. This is the moment the animals got to check out the new additions to their digs.

A trunk-load of fig trees have made the menu for Melbourne Zoo’s elephants thanks to Moonee Valley Council.

The council worked with zookeepers to donate fig trees to 9-year-old Marli and 19-year-old Kulab.

The fig trees were removed as part of the Union Rd streetscape upgrades in Ascot Vale.

The zoo has also enriched the elephant enclosure with a new water fountain, hoisted feeders, tree trunks, a large dirt mound, and large bark-covered logs.

Yarra Council also donated branches and logs for the elephants to use.

Melbourne Zoo elephants keeper Erin Gardiner said the team was thrilled with the animals’ reaction to their new home.

Melbourne Zoo elephant Marli.

Moonee Valley Council and Yarra Council donated branches and logs for the enclosure.

Melbourne Zoo’s family of Asian Elephants have been busy exploring their new home.

“We saw a huge range of positive reactions when the elephants first entered the paddock, ranging from ear flapping, touching the tree trunks, touching each other, vocalising and investigating their new habitat,” Ms Gardiner said.

Ms Gardiner said she was grateful to all the councils that donated trees to feed and house animals at the zoo.

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“The trees are of excellent use for us because it gives the elephants objects to engage with, push around and use as toys,” she said.

If your garden is free from gardening chemicals and is due for a prune, you can donate branches to Melbourne Zoo by calling 9285 9300.

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