Cincinnati Zoo Adopts Container Farming to Feed Giraffes and Manatees
April 29, 2024 According to WPCO-TV, the Cincinnati Zoo started using container farming to feed its giraffes and manatees. After dealing with lettuce recalls and availability issues, Zach Burns, the zoo’s hydroponics technician, decided to produce lettuce on his own turf.
The lettuce produced within the zoo’s container farms only uses 5% of the land needed for traditional farming methods. Plus, it’s more sustainable for the environment, as it cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions.
Every factor of the zoo’s container farm is controlled by Burns and his team. As a result, he can produce crops all year-round and experiences less crop loss throughout the year. This also helps save the zoo money.
While only giraffes and manatees benefit from container farming today, Burns hopes to extend the program to other parts of the Cincinnati Zoo soon.
