Do Wild Animals Like Pesto?

Short answer
Despite all being herbivores, camels and rhinos dislike pesto, while giraffes love it.

Long answer
According to a BBC investigation in November 2023, animal behaviour researchers at Australia's Werribee Open Range Zoo set out to find whether their herbivore residents liked the smell and taste of herbs.

The "enrichment program" began with installing a herb garden capable of growing up to 200 different herbs. Zookeepers then slowly introduced the herbs to the zoo's camels, giraffes, rhinos, and wallabies in an attempt to determine which herbs were most enjoyed by which animals.

The giraffes and camels were the first to be introduced to a basil-rich mixture of herbs designed to mimic the smells and flavours of pesto. While the camels grunted and moodily shook their heads at the opportunity for a taste, the giraffes showed a keen willingness to try and, before long, were tucking into the herbs with gay abandon. Elsewhere in the zoo, wallabies were naturally drawn towards rosemary and mint, while the rhinos had no interest in any of the herbs.

When it comes to domestic animals, while dogs can eat basil, it is not recommended to feed them pesto. It won't do them vast amounts of harm in small quantities, but it can wreak havoc on their digestive system in large quantities.