Zoo staff turns tornado damage into food, enrichment for animals

Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that...
Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that had fallen during the storms on May 16, 2025.(Saint Louis Zoo)
Published: May 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM CDT
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - After tornadoes downed multiple trees at the Saint Louis Zoo two weeks ago, the zoo staff decided to make the best of the situation.

The Saint Louis Zoo’s nutrition team gathered over 1,000 pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that fell during the tornado that hit St. Louis on May 16. The zoo said these leaves will be used as snacks and enrichment for the animals throughout the coming months.

Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that...
Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that had fallen during the storms on May 16, 2025.(Saint Louis Zoo)
Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that...
Staff with the Saint Louis Zoo removed hundreds of pounds of leaves from trees and limbs that had fallen during the storms on May 16, 2025.(Saint Louis Zoo)

Immediately following the storms, the zoo shared photos of the fallen trees across the area and closed for the weekend as they cleared paths.

One such tree fell on the Mary Ann Lee Butterfly Wing, damaging the roof and causing staff to need to catch released butterflies, which they shared in a video on social media.

No staff or animals were hurt during the storms.