ANIMAL PROGRAMS Browse Program

By Tracy Fenn, Curator of Mammals

Browse is plant material provided for animal nutrition, health and enrichment purposes. It encourages natural eating and foraging behaviors when provided to leafeating herbivores like rhinos, giraffes, warthogs, antelopes, tortoises, apes, monkeys and lemurs. Elephants are the biggest consumers of browse, which is critical to their dental and gastrointestinal health. Many species, like primates, birds and reptiles, are provided tree branches as natural perching and climbing structures.

Animal care staff harvest browse off-site through partnerships with nearby corporate and private landowners. Collecting sufficient amounts and types of browse for animal wellbeing requires a significant investment of time and personnel. Available sources are declining due to land development and other factors, but the community can help!

Fresh trimmings of approved tree and shrub species that are pesticide-free can be donated for browse. Instead of piling trimmings at the curb for yard waste pick-up, bring it to the Zoo! If your load is too large for your vehicle and within 10 miles of the Zoo, we may even be able to send a crew and truck to your location for pick-up. Alternatively, we welcome new partnerships with landowners willing to allow our staff to harvest browse on their acreage.

Help support the Browse Prgram at: jacksonvillezoo.org/browse