Traditionally, AquaZoo Leeuwarden takes back Christmas trees after the holidays

As soon as the holidays are over, regular visitors to AquaZoo and residents of the villages and towns surrounding the park now know what is coming. Namely, people can once again hand in their Christmas tree with root ball on Friday 3 January in exchange for a free ticket. This year, an extra element has been added: whoever hands in the tallest Christmas tree will have a chance to win a unique behind-the-scenes look at the zoo.

With the Christmas tree campaign, AquaZoo wants to prevent people from throwing their Christmas trees in the rubbish, by reusing the trees in a sustainable way. ‘It takes years before a Christmas tree is sufficiently grown for sale,’ explains Jeroen Loomeijer, general manager of AquaZoo. ‘Then people buy a tree, put it in the house for a few weeks during the dark December month and then throw the tree away. This is of course a waste, as there are many places where these trees can be given a good second chance. Like at our zoo, where we have been taking Christmas trees after the holidays for a few years now. For example, we plant them in the park, like last year in the recently opened Churchill area.’

‘Or they are used as enrichment for animals,’ adds head of animal care William Kreijkes. ‘This involves adding challenging and stimulating elements in animals' habitats to promote their well-being. With the Christmas trees, for example, we have done this with the tigers and polar bears.’

Special prize
This year, everyone who turns in their tree will also have a chance to win a prize in addition to the free ticket. The person who hands in the tallest Christmas tree will win a unique look behind the scenes. The winner will get to spend a morning or afternoon with a zookeeper and experience zoo life up close. Each tree handed in will be measured and the owner's details recorded.

Martine de Lange, responsible for park maintenance at AquaZoo, is looking forward to the action. ‘It is a celebration every year when the trees are handed in en masse. We make people happy with a free ticket and are ourselves busy planting the trees in the first weeks of the new year.’

 Conditions

• You can only hand in your tree on Friday 3 January 2025 at the AquaZoo car park, between 10:00 and 15:00.

• The tree must have a root ball and be viable (no brown branches).

• Minimum length: 1.5 metres.

• No leftover artificial snow, glitter or other decoration.

• 1 Christmas tree = 1 free ticket (maximum 1 tree per person).

• Free tickets are valid until 14 February 2025 and not redeemable for cash.