PPL Electric Utilities’ tree trimming program is helping to feed Murphy, the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s Masai giraffe.

Under a partnership between the utility and the zoo, Jaflo Inc., one of PPL’s tree contractors, is making deliveries of cut branches, also called browse, which the zoo uses to feed Murphy, the 16-year-old giraffe acquired earlier this year.

The zoo could not be more grateful to PPL and Jaflo.

Masai giraffe can weigh more than 2,500 pounds and they can eat 16 to 20 hours a day.

And, as browse is one of their favorite foods, contribution is certainly welcome.

Murphy receives a good portion of his water intake through the browse and lettuce that he eats and it is also an important enrichment for the giraffe.

Animal care staff hang branches high up in his barn and entwine them through special feeders that keep him interested, active and engaged.

There are also health benefits to eating browse.

Giraffes, cows, sheep and goats are all ruminants.

“Eating browse encourages chewing and rumination by Murphy,” Dr. Scott Rosenbloom, veterinarian, said. “Having such a great supply of browse readily available helps keeps his complex digestive system running smoothly and efficiently.”

PPL trims and removes trees along thousands of miles of its power lines each year to help maintain reliable service.

Instead of ending up in a chipper, some of the smaller branches taken down in the Lehigh Valley area will provide nutrition for Murphy.

“This is something unique for PPL and it’s something we, along with Jaflo, are really excited to be part of,” said Aaron Dom, manager of PPL’s vegetation management program. “Environmental stewardship can take many forms. Here, providing food for a giraffe is crossing paths with our core mission of providing reliable power.”

PPL and Jaflo started providing browse to the zoo late this summer and will continue to bring the material in as the zoo needs it during the year.

The vast majority of the kinds of trees trimmed by Jaflo for PPL can be used to feed the giraffe.