Zoo Leipzig erupts in chaos: Gondwana's upheaval!
For the creatures roaming the Gondwana Land in Leipzig Zoo, it's a land of bounty. Each day, the caretakers tirelessly pamper their wards to make sure they're well-fed and content. Meanwhile, the gardeners work tirelessly to transform the exhibit into a verdant jungle.
A forest world that, let's be honest, needs a tad of tender loving care. Now and then, a brutal massacre might be required - though it causes a bit of excitement among the animals. The MDR documentary series, "Elephant, Tiger and Co.", recently documented one of these events at the Leipzig Zoo.
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Suddenly, in the heart of spring, during the best breeding season, a colossal steel beast materializes in Gondwana Land! The birds certainly squawk in protest as the employees position their hoist smack-dab in the tropical hall. In their inventory: Heavy machinery, as a drastic haircut is due in the treetops.
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"Lower plants need more light," explains Christine Anger in the "Elephant, Tiger & Co." episode from Friday (6th June). "Since the trees are sprawling quite far and wide, the lower planting barely gets any light." For this reason, the gardeners tread in once a year to prune the treetops at great heights. The trees won't lose a leaf, far from it.
"It Grows Like Crazy"
"We've seen it over and over again when we do radical pruning on the trees, how quickly they recover and how rapidly they regrow," says Michael Ernst. "It's like constantly cutting your own hair. You cut it short, and then it simply grows long again."
He chuckles, "I know that well. That stuff grows like weeds!"
Of course, the gardeners don't run amok with every tree they lay their eyes on. First, they meticulously check for nests in the treetops. After all, the breeding of the avian charges always comes first!
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More news:
New episodes of "Elephant, Tiger & Co." usually air every Friday at 7.50 PM on MDR TV. You can also watch whole episodes anytime in the mediathek.
Enrichment: The annual pruning in Gondwana Land aims to maintain tree health, safety, and growth, ensuring optimal growth and balancing the ecosystem, while preserving the exhibit's aesthetic appeal and providing an immersive experience for visitors. The gardeners carefully inspect the trees, use a combination of skilled pruning techniques and timing, and coordinate their work with zoo staff.
Despite the lush, verdant appearance, the trees in Gondwana Land require periodic pruning to ensure optimal growth and maintain the ecosystem. Home-and-garden tasks, such as pruning and tree maintenance, are part of the lifestyle the gardeners at Leipzig Zoo adhere to, making the exhibit a home-and-garden paradise for both animals and visitors.