Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are donating their de-commissioned fire hoses to Paignton Zoo where they will be made into hammocks and feeding balls as part of the zoo's environmental enrichment programme.

Paignton Zoo Research Officer, Holly Farmer said: "Environmental enrichment is all about providing animals with things to interest and stimulate them. This may be feeding devices, things to climb on or simply novel items to play with. Zoo science staff, volunteers, students and keepers work together to devise, make and test enrichment items.

"The hoses are an invaluable resource for the zoo; the high pressure black hoses make ideal climbing ropes in the primates' enclosures as normal ropes degrade and can be bitten through and split causing a danger to the smaller monkeys as they catch their paws in them."

Matthew Webb, Senior Head Keeper of Mammals, said: "Old hose pipes are used for everything from hammocks for mandrills and baboons to footballs for elephants. The hosepipe balls are filled with food which falls out when the elephants play with them."

This recycling initiative creates a unique piece of partnership working between Paignton Zoo and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. 

 

Posted April 16th, 2012 at 0950 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com