Resthaven team up with Monarto Zoo

Resthaven Northern Community Services welcomed a special visitor on-site, after taking up a fitting opportunity from the radio.

Manager, Karen Hammond, says, ‘I was listening to the ABC radio one morning on the way to work. They were interviewing Chris, who works for the Monarto Zoo.’

‘His job is to drive the streets of Adelaide looking for Lilly Pilly trees, which the rhinos adore.’

‘Well, we happened to have one of those here at the Elizabeth office at 16 Gillingham Street, and it was in desperate need of a prune!’

Karen contacted Chris straight away.

‘When we called, he was very excited to have a look at our trees! He also informed us that the elephants love Lilly Pilly trees for an occasional treat.’

‘When Chris arrived, there was an air of excitement on-site – he found more of our trees to prune, which he explained can be given to other animals at the Monarto Zoo to enjoy.’

‘Chris showed us the black rhino, Sentwall, who he would be giving our cuttings to – it was wonderful making that connection.’

‘He explained that these plants are nontoxic to the animals, and none of it goes to waste as the branches are fed to the African crested porcupines.’

‘What a great use of the site’s trimmings!’

‘Next time we need our trees pruned, we know who we’ll be calling.’

Resthaven Northern Community Services offers in-home care and support, restorative care and rehabilitation, respite for carers, and a wellness centre with occupational and physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, continence management and group programs for older people.

Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.

Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.