Leopards help recycle Christmas trees (From Daily Echo)

Marwell Zoo give Amur leopards recycled Christmas trees

7:26am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News

IT is a novel recycling scheme – and a purrfect way to relax after the Christmas rush.

Festive felines at Marwell Zoo are enjoying the New Year by playing with Christmas trees.

The seasonal shrubs were left over from the park’s annual Christmas at Marwell event – and staff decided to hand them over to the big cats.

According to the animals’ keepers, the smell of the pines is like catnip for the creatures.

 

 

Among those enjoying the post- Christmas treat was Amur leopard Akin, who rolled all over the trees and clawed at them.

Becky Churcher from Marwell Zoo said: “It’s about enrichment really – they love the smell of the Christmas trees.

“It’s like cats with catnip.”

Although the park is not taking in the public’s leftover Christmas trees, there are plenty of places around the county to dispose of trees.

Among those recycling trees are Haskins Garden Centre in West End, Lakeside Country Park in Eastleigh and IKEA in Southampton.

There are also drop-off points at Brookley Road car park in Brockenhurst, New Road car park in Hythe and St Thomas Street car park in Lymington.