KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Cleaning up your yard after the storms that swept through East Tennessee? Zoo Knoxville will gladly accept browse donations.
Though the zoo is closed due to COVID-19 concerns, you can still support them from a safe social distance.
“Fresh browse is something that we’re always looking for. Elephants need that for their digestive system and they also need it to thrive behaviorally as they would in the wild,” said Lisa New, Director of Zoo Knoxville.
IMPORTANT: The zoo can only accept browse that has NOT been sprayed with any chemicals or pesticides.
Favorite Giraffe and Elephant Browse:
- Bradford Pear
- Dogwood
- Sugar Maple
- Silver Maple
- Mulberry
- Chestnut Oak
- White Oak
- Hickory
- Eastern Redbud
- River Birch
- Box Elder
- Elm
- Hackberry
- Honey Suckle (Not in Berry because they are toxic)
- Mimosa
- Grape Vine
If possible, please contact the zoo before coming to drop off browse by calling 865-637-5331, ext. 1281 or emailing pgrieve@zooknoxville.org.
Of course, the zoo still wants people to contribute to the emergency relief fund.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs proposed $500,000 for the zoo from the Hotel/Motel Fund, and that goes before County Committee on Monday.