Taipei Zoo, located in the Wenshan District of Taipei, Taiwan, features a eucalyptus forest in its temperate animal zone. This forest not only provides shade and scenic views but also serves as a food source for the zoo's koalas, offering them eucalyptus leaves. Recently, the zoo has cultivated 250 eucalyptus saplings this spring, planning to plant them by autumn. These trees are expected to be ready for harvesting in as little as three years, ensuring a sustainable food supply for the koalas while contributing to environmental sustainability.
The eucalyptus trees, native to Australia, are robust and can thrive in poor soil conditions. They are the primary food source for koalas. The zoo has a large eucalyptus forest on the south side of the temperate animal zone, with thousands of trees providing a diverse food source for the koalas. Koalas prefer fresh young eucalyptus leaves, and despite there being over 800 species of eucalyptus, they only consume about 50 types, mainly those readily available in their habitat.
Zookeepers ensure that the koalas receive a variety of fresh eucalyptus leaves daily, with around a dozen species currently on the menu. To guarantee a stable supply, the zoo collaborates with local farmers and cultivates about ten species of eucalyptus trees within the zoo grounds. The eucalyptus forest between the otter and red panda enclosures serves as a backup food source when external supplies are low or of poor quality.
This year, the zoo plans to cultivate species like red ironbark, tallowwood, rose gum, and spotted gum. The process involves sowing seeds in planting tubes with optimal temperature and humidity conditions. After germination and several months of growth, the saplings will be transplanted to designated areas. Regular watering, fertilization, and pest control measures will be implemented to protect the trees from pests like the eucalyptus leaf beetle. Over time, this forest will become a "supermarket" for the koalas.
Forests have always played a crucial role as carbon sinks, and fast-growing, densely planted tree species like eucalyptus have excellent carbon sequestration capabilities. By maintaining this eucalyptus forest, Taipei Zoo not only supports the dietary needs of its koalas but also contributes to environmental sustainability.
