COLUMBUS, Ohio — Trees, brush and branches cut by AEP Ohio will now become treats for animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The zoo and AEP Ohio announced this week a new partnership called Trim to Treat in which the power company will deliver tree trimmings to the zoo twice a week.
Ann Lokai-Owens, an animal nutrition, browse horticulturist at the Columbus Zoo, said officials are excited about the new program.
She said the program will allow officials to provide more “browse” or tree trimmings to animals at the zoo.
“With more than 10,000 animals at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, we are excited to be working with AEP Ohio to bring even more browse to our animals. This program called Trim to Tree repurposes edible non-toxic plants into a food source for our animals,” Lokai-Owens said.
AEP regularly trims trees throughout the Columbus area to keep power lines clear. The trimmings will now become snacks for giraffes, moose, porcupines and elephants at the Columbus Zoo.
Dale Hopkins, region forestry manager with AEP Ohio, said company officials are happy to partner with the zoo in the Trim to Treat program.
“We are able to take branches and tree trimmings that we would normally be mulching and chipping and getting rid of and repurpose them for the enjoyment of the animals. Our forestry team identifies species that are desired by the animals. We then take those fresh clippings and we bundle them, we deliver them to the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds to be used for the benefit of the animals,” Hopkins said.
