November 06, 2020 - 997 views
Animals at Welsh Mountain Zoo have been enjoying home grown greens from Rhos-on-Sea allotments.
Members of the Upper Bryn Euryn allotments in Rhos on Sea arranged to donate crops to the zoo to supplement the animals’ usual food. With help from Conwy County Borough Council, the allotment group contributed their left over crops and are growing extra crops in two unused plots.
“We’ve donated seven sacks so far,” said Mike Wallace of the allotment group. “There’s beanstalks, nasturtiums, pea haulm and sweetcorn stalks. It’s lovely to see the animals enjoying the food we’ve grown which would otherwise have gone to waste. For next year, we’ve already started growing cabbages, cauliflowers, spinach and beetroot.”
“We’re always looking for ways to help link up our communities,” says Cllr Greg Robbins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation. “It seemed like the perfect match, as our allotmenteers enjoy growing and the animals enjoy the variety.”
Peter Litherland, Animal Collections Manager at the Welsh Mountain Zoo said, “It is great to see the community coming together to support the Zoo and all of its animals at such a difficult time.
"The wide variety of produce from these allotments has been enjoyed by many animals here at the Zoo. From the Eurasian Brown Bears who enjoyed herbs, bean and pea plants as part of their enrichment programme, to the tortoises who enjoyed organic cabbages and nasturtiums as part of their natural diet.
"Our Apes and primates have also relished the super fresh produce provided as part of their enrichment program. We look forward to continuing the relationship with the community and the Council for many years to come.”
The allotments were recently visited by Michael Portillo filming for his Great British Railway Journeys television programme, which will be aired in the new year.
