Greater Sydney Landcare

Have an Africa Problem, Find an African Solution

African weeds are smothering Macarthur. Thankfully African giants with very large appetites are coming to the rescue.

Efficiency - LEP23_015_LLC_6

The issue

African weeds are a deeply entrenched environmental issue in the Macarthur region, originating from species introduced by the Macarthur family for animal feed and ornamental use. Over more than 200 years, these plants have spread widely, forming dense infestations that smother bushland and outcompete native species. Their resilience and prolific seedbanks make control difficult and ongoing. A key challenge is the lack of funding, as weed management is often seen as unglamorous and attracts limited investment. This leaves Councils, Landcare, and Landholders attempting to manage widespread, persistent infestations with very constrained resources.

The solution

Sydney Zoo provides an innovative, low-cost solution by using invasive plant species as animal “browse.” Many of their animals readily eat African weeds such as African olive, African boxthorn, and elephant grass, while also utilising other species like bamboo, willows, and acacias. The giraffe alone require 6 van loads of browse a week. After edible parts are consumed, remaining material is used for enrichment, then mulched or composted.

The zoo manages harvesting, requiring only coordination time. Sites are identified through partnerships with landholders and local councils, assessed by zoo staff, and harvested by their team. Follow-up weed control is then undertaken by Landcare, Councils and Landholders to target seedbank germination and regrowth.

The impact

This approach delivers a clear win–win outcome. Macarthur can control invasive weeds with minimal expenditure, avoiding the need for contractors, additional staff, or new equipment, as the zoo’s browse team undertakes the physical removal. While it is not a complete solution for all weed issues and significant effort is still required to manage regrowth from persistent seedbanks, it provides meaningful progress. Importantly, it reframes weeds as a valuable resource rather than waste, creating a practical and satisfying way to contribute to environmental management while supporting animal care and enrichment.

Learnings

What worked:
The partnership with Sydney Zoo is effective, delivering weed removal at minimal cost while repurposing biomass as animal feed and enrichment. Collaboration between Sydney Zoo, Greater Sydney Landcare, local councils, and landholders enables access to suitable sites and streamlined logistics. The model also helps to reframe invasive weeds as a resource, improving community engagement and motivation.

What didn’t (challenges):
The approach is not a complete solution and is limited to species and sites suitable for browse collection. Significant follow-up work is still required to manage regrowth from persistent seedbanks. Coordination and site matching can also be time-intensive.

Author: Vanessa Gimellaro

Key facts

  • Rethink invasive plants as an opportunity rather than just a problem
  • Match local weed issues with partners who can use the biomass (e.g. zoos, farmers)
  • Strong partnerships with complementary skills are critical to success
  • Sydney Zoo provides labour, transport, and end-use for collected material
  • Landcare, councils, and landholders provide site access and follow-up management
  • No additional equipment or contractor costs required
  • Works best on accessible sites with suitable weed species
  • Not a standalone solution—follow-up control of regrowth is essential
  • Long-term commitment and consistency are key to achieving meaningful outcomes

Project Partners