Trim to Treat: Browse Around the Zoo

Did you know that many animals love munching on tree branches, leaves and twigs? This tasty treat, often referred to as browse, is packed with nutrients and great for enrichment. Discover a few of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s biggest browse-lovers — then see if you can spot them snacking.

giraffeGiraffe

Heart of Africa

One of the top consumers of browse at the Columbus Zoo, eating up to 75 pounds per day! Their long tongues (up to 18 inches!) help them grab branches way up high.

 

elephantAsian Elephant

Asia Quest

Elephants are browse powerhouses, using their trunks to strip bark and grab branches. An adult elephant can eat over 300 pounds of vegetation daily, including plenty of leafy browse.

 

wombatSouthern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

Australia & The Islands

These burrowing mammals have special teeth that continue growing throughout their lives as they munch on native grasses and browse.

 

mooseMoose

North America Trek

The name “moose” comes from the native Algonquin word “moosewa,” meaning “eater of twigs.” These giant herbivores can chow down on more than
40 pounds of browse a day!

 

bonoboBonobo

Congo Expedition

Bonobos are the smallest of the great apes and the closest relative to humans. They primarily eat fruit but also enjoy nuts, grubs, browse and even snacks like popcorn and oatmeal!

 

tortoiseRadiated Tortoise

Adventure Cove

This reptile gets its name from the bright yellow “radiating” star pattern on its shell. With a diet of leafy greens like browse, they can live up to 100 years.

Did You Know?

Browse = More Than a Meal
Browse encourages natural foraging, mental stimulation and exercise — helping animals thrive!

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and AEP Ohio are celebrating their Trim to Treat partnership. Since the start of this unique partnership in 2021, AEP Ohio’s forestry team has delivered over 1 million linear feet of browse to the zoo — that’s equal to more than 2,700 football fields laid
end-to-end!

Serving a Dual Purpose: Protecting the Power Grid & Supporting Animals

Through the Trim to Treat partnership, some of the trees and branches that AEP Ohio’s forestry crews regularly trim to protect the power grid are donated and delivered to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds. From the tallest to the smallest of animals, many animals enjoy the benefits of this unique partnership.

Trim

To improve the reliability of electric service,
AEP Ohio’s forestry crews trim back trees and branches to remove any threats at least once every four years.

 

Deliver

Based on an approved list of tree species, AEP Ohio identifies and bundles the fresh tree trimmings, branches and twigs. Their team delivers the trimmings by truckload to the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds.

 

Sort

The horticulturist at the Columbus Zoo inspects the plants and determines the best amount for transport to each area in the facility.

 

Treat

The animal care staff selects the appropriate size and amount and delivers it to the animals. The animals get to work eating the fresh trimmings or using them as an enrichment tool.

 

Repeat

The best part? The cycle continues — helping to keep power flowing and providing an ongoing supply of browse for the animals.

 

Learn More About Trim to Treat

AEP Ohio’s forestry crews are committed to keeping your power on and ongoing tree maintenance is an important part of the process. Discover more about the Trim to Treat partnership and how we’re working to improve reliability by visiting AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat