Valoriser la diversité végétale par la diversité animale : utiliser le foin de prairies remarquables pour alimenter les animaux de zoo

In the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine, unique grasslands characterised by high species richness are in decline, primarily because they are more intensively used or they are transformed into cropland by farmers. To better exploit these grasslands and to encourage farmers to manage their lands in a way that preserves biodiversity, park authorities have started to develop an industry centred on the hay produced by the grasslands: providing feed for zoos and wildlife parks. This article presents the results of surveys (i.e., of industry expectations and practices) and technical research (i.e., grassland analysis, evaluation of the needs of the diverse animals concerned, risk of toxic concentrations of compounds) carried out between 2015 and 2018 to assess the project's feasibility. This work will make it possible to identify outlets, better understand commercial needs, and produce guidelines to establish a successful balance between the economical exploitation and environmental preservation of the grasslands' ecological richness.