Astrid tames wildlife at the Beekse Bergen

Before the gates of Safaripark Beekse Bergen open, three maintenance workers are already hard at work. All to ensure that visitors of every age experience a memorable day. Astrid shares her story about being (green) at Beekse Bergen.

Astrid explains what it takes to maintain Beekse Bergen: "Above all, a great love of animals and nature, in addition to quite a bit of perseverance. I have always been someone who knows how to tackle things. With only three people we manage a park of 500 hectares. This requires far-reaching planning, hard work and of course ... reliable machines. We found our STIHLs at Van Iersel."

"It's worth all the effort, though," Astrid continues enthusiastically. "Really, who wouldn't want to work among giraffes and elephants? Even after four years, I wake up happy every day, with lots of eagerness to go to work. Because every day there is something wonderful and new to see. Once, while driving across the car safari, I suddenly saw two tiny legs sticking out of a zebra. Within five minutes there was a newborn foal on the ground. Something miraculous happens here every day."

"What's really satisfying? A few months ago, one of our giraffes was sick. He was only eating green food. Then when the caretakers call, you throw everything down to go cut extra green food, to help that animal, of course. When you hear afterwards that it's doing better again, it gives you a super kick."

STIHL, a name synonymous with the power and reliability of outdoor machinery. The company offers a wide range of products designed to meet the needs of all industry professionals. From rugged chainsaws to versatile power tools, STIHL machines are designed to meet any outdoor challenge, making work not only more efficient but more enjoyable. Battery-powered machines are also ideal for rugged professional use. Thanks to their long service life and powerful performance, the batteries are excellent tools for all kinds of tasks. Not "just" durable, that is, ...

So maintaining such a vast area requires a lot of effort. "We dedicate ourselves to keeping the park in top condition: mowing and planting lawns, keeping walking paths clean and clear, trimming greenery for the animals, and more. It is really satisfying to see everything looking neat again. That way our visitors can enjoy the safari park to the fullest," Astrid continues.

STIHL understands the joy of working outdoors, an aspect that is reflected in all its products. They emphasize quality, performance and user-friendliness: these core values form the basis of our work at STIHL. But adequate protection was not forgotten in the process. With the same core values. Because STIHL safety clothing was also developed specifically to protect the professional when working with STIHL products.

"My favorite job? I don't doubt that for a second. Enjoying working with the chainsaw. And to avoid accidents, it's best to protect yourself as much as possible. That way there's less chance of something happening. Except if, like me, you are sometimes a little clumsy and stick your finger between the door of the jeep after the job." (laughs)