Vienna, Austria – A new resident has arrived at Schönbrunn Zoo, where a male zebra foal born at the beginning of May is now exploring its enclosure alongside its mother.

The young zebra is still nursing regularly but has started showing growing interest in the food eaten by the adult animals.

Its diet includes mainly grass and hay, along with fresh branches and leaves delivered to the zoo.

Zoo Director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said fresh branches and foliage provide valuable food and important enrichment for many animals, including elephants, giraffes and rhinos.

He added that leaves are especially important for species that depend on them throughout the year. To ensure supplies continue during winter, some of the fresh foliage is carefully harvested and deep-frozen for animals such as bear monkeys.

For many years, Vienna’s Forestry and Agricultural Department has provided the zoo with regular deliveries of fresh greenery collected from across the city.

This year, the branches and leaves mainly come from the Lobau wetlands and Danube Island. The material is generated during maintenance pruning along paths, primarily in Vienna’s 21st and 22nd districts, before being transported to the zoo through short delivery routes.

Forestry Director Petra Wagner said the branches and leaves are a byproduct of maintenance work and are put to good use by the zoo as part of a long-standing regional partnership.

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