Give your Christmas tree to elephants, bears and meerkats in North Somerset

Animals at a zoo farm in North Somerset could enjoy thousands of recycled Christmas trees - as it launches its "biggest" recycling project yet.

It's the fifth year Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has organised its tree-cycling scheme - with more and more people getting involved each time.

Residents across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire can take their trees to the zoo farm, or arrange for them to be collected- making a small donation to charity.

St. Peters Hospice and North Somerset Council are also involved in the project.

Sophie Cullinane, Community Fundraising Manager at St Peter’s Hospice, said: "By using the Tree Collection service, you can help support patients and their families when they need it most and prevent your old Christmas tree from going to waste.

"It’s a really easy way to make a difference to your community and the environment."

Chippings from the trees will be used for enrichment activities- particularly in the Andean Adventure habitat, where bears Madidi, Rasu, Tuichi, and Beni will enjoy the fresh scents and textures.

Elsewhere at the zoo, rhinos and meerkats will be given tree mulch, and their keepers will bury food beneath chippings to encourage natural foraging behaviours.

Elephants will be offered the branches and will also forage through piles of chippings for hidden snacks.

Larry Bush, CEO of Noah’s Ark, added, “This initiative is one of our favourite ways to start the year, benefiting both our animals and the environment. Together with North Somerset Council and our amazing supporters, we’re confident 2025 will be our biggest and best year yet!”

People can drop off their trees at the zoo farm from Thursday 2 to Sunday 26 January 2025, between 10:30am and 4pm.

Those who would like their trees collected are encouraged to donate to St Peter’s Hospice, and then leave the tree outside their home between 10 and 12 January 2025.