Berlin zoo's elephants enjoy a lunch of unsold Christmas trees, which they consider a delicacy, donated by local vendors

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Elephants at the Berlin zoo have finally been able to tuck into their Christmas dinner, a feast of donated pine trees.

The zoo treated its elephants and some of its other animals to the Christmas trees for lunch on Friday. Before tucking in, elephants young and old played with the trees, whose strong smell attracts them.

Elephant keeper Ragnar Kühne said the unsold Christmas trees were donated by local vendors.

He said: "The animals love it. For them, the Christmas feast is starting now."

The strong smell of pine resin makes Christmas trees a tasty treat. Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Kühne said the zoo didn't accept trees from the public, which could contain chemicals or leftover decorations. He also said Christmas trees that had been inside houses weren't as fresh and juicy as those at cold outdoor markets – which are just how the elephants like them.