Unwanted Christmas trees

Christmas trees help Teignbridge Scouts and zoo animals

Unwanted Christmas trees could benefit both scouts and zoo animals in Devon.

Teignbridge Scouts, who are trying to raise funds for new headquarters in Kingkerswell, plan to collect trees and take them to Paignton Zoo in January.

The zoo said many of its animals will enjoy playing with the Christmas trees, provided they have not been sprayed with toxic fake snow or glitter.

The scouts, who are asking for a minimum donation of £5, will carry out tree collections on 7 and 8 January.

'Novelty value'

In order to help the scout troop's venture, a number of local Christmas tree retailers handed out flyers with the trees.

Scout spokesman Steve Michaels said it was a service with multiple benefits.

"It's great to be able to deliver the trees to the zoo rather than send them off to landfill," he said

"This is helping young people, helping the environment and helping the animals at the zoo."

Paignton Zoo spokesman Phil Knowling said meerkats, primates and tapirs were among the animals that would benefit.

"The new textures and scents are stimulating - and you can't underestimate the sheer novelty value of a small conifer tree suddenly appearing in an enclosure," he said

Paignton Zoo elephant Duchess recovering after eye surgery

An elephant in a south Devon zoo is recovering well after receiving surgery to remove an eye.Continue reading the main story

Paignton Zoo's four tonne African elephant Duchess became the first in the UK to undergo the operation.Duchess had been plagued by pain after glaucoma and cataracts had left her virtually blind.Animal experts decided the operation would be the best treatment after using eye-drops and pain relief for some time.Ghislaine Sayers, head of veterinary services for Paignton Zoo, said pressure in Duchess's right eye had increased to the point where it could "no longer be controlled by drugs".

Tense procedure'

Ms Sayers said: "The drops worked short term but became less effective and long-term pain relief can have side effects.Paignton Zoo spokesman Phil Knowling said the operation - which took place earlier this month - went smoothly but "everyone wanted to see her come round from the anaesthetic"."The only solution to keep her pain free was to remove the eye," she added.Zoo keeper Jim Dicks, who has been with Duchess for 20 years, called her name and shouted encouragement as she came around.

Mr Dicks said it was "always tense during major procedures" and there was a "spontaneous cheer and a round of applause when she got to her feet".

Ms Sayers said a "fairly large team of people" had been drafted in for the operation so Duchess could go on to live a happy and healthy life.

"The procedure certainly seems to have gone well," she said.

"She was up on her feet within minutes of coming round and is eating and looking well.

"She will be a little groggy for a while but we're confident the procedure was a success."