Monarto Safari Park is a jewel of the Adelaide Hills and home to more than 500 animals and 50 species of exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles.
As a conservation charity, feeding their growing herds and troupes of animals such as giraffes, black rhinos, Mongolian horses, primates, zebras, elands and barbary sheep, is no easy feat.
Adelaide Hills Council has been working with the park for several years and helping out with some of their growing food needs by enabling Monarto’s browse staff to tap into the many weed species being removed from Council reserves and roadsides.
Armed with a list of appropriate weed species to fill the tummies of various animals, Council’s Open Space team can negotiate with Monarto staff for rapid pick up as soon as the weeds are available for collection.
Tonia Brown, Council’s Biodiversity Officer, said that the relationship first began in 2013 and has been flourishing ever since.
“We just love that we can make a positive impact for this critical conservation organisation through our everyday work,” says Tonia.
“It’s terrific that Council’s many unwanted exotic weeds are being utilised for such an important purpose. Look how much that Black Rhino is enjoying Council’s weedy Acacias!”
Spanning more than 1,500 hectares, Monarto is one of the largest open range zoos in the world, and once its redevelopment is complete, it will be the largest safari park outside of Africa.
Photo credits: Monarto Safari Park.
