The Hsinchu Zoo has introduced a new concept- that of a “food Forest”- in an effort to make the zoo more eco-friendly. A “food forest” is an artificial ecosystem created to yield food for the animals that live in it.
It’s mealtime at the Hsinchu Zoo, and these guinea pigs can’t wait to have their food. One of the zoo’s Reeve’s muntjacs is excited to eat, too.
The Hsinchu Zoo is set to reopen in late December after closing for more than two years. To coincide with the reopening, it’s introduced the concept of a “food forest”: instead of bringing in large amounts of feed for its animals, the food the animals eat is all grown on site.
Children love picking plants like sweet potato leaves and carrots, and feeding them to the sheep by themselves. It’s a fun and educational experience, and the kids love being with the animals.
Zookeeper Yang Jia-ming says he believes the freshest produce, picked straight from the zoo grounds, will make the zoo’s residents very happy.
Meanwhile, Hsinchu Mayor Lin Chih-chien says that systematic planning of these “food forests” will turn the zoo into a wonderful place for ecological education.