The Bedford Estates, LondonThe ring-tailed lemurs have received a very special and unlikely donation from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Services, in the form of de-commissioned fire hoses!
Many may think these small furry primates would have no use for secondhand fire hose, but due to the robust nature of this equipment, it is perfect for creating long lasting and durable enrichment for many of the Park’s animals.
Rather than see these materials end up in landfill after the end of their useable life, primate Keeper Ellie came up with the bright idea of asking Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service whether they would consider donating the hoses to give them a second life in the expansive walkthrough lemur enclosure.
Tony Hart, Asset Management Technician, explains: “Ellie’s email came in at the perfect time – we had just heard that some of the hoses we had sent off for routine testing, had been designated as beyond repair and therefore at the end of their serviceable life for us.“
The fire service team jumped at the chance and kindly donated the hose to the Park, while Keepers wasted no time turning them into interesting and creative enrichment for the lemurs. With the hoses being 25 meters in length and made from a tough, yet flexible material called Duraline – there was no limit to what the Keepers could create!
Catherine Doherty, Head of Animal Encounters at Woburn Safari Park said: “We’re really grateful to the Team at Bucks Fire & Rescue Service for their kind donation of hose. Enrichment plays a big part in the lives of the animals at the Park and although the types of activities vary, every form is designed to keep the animals’ minds and bodies active and to help the animals engage their natural instincts.”
“The hose might become a new ladder, a hammock, a feeder, a swing… our Keepers have some fantastic ideas, and it won’t be long before they’re put to great use!”
Woburn Safari Park would like to say a huge thank you to Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service for their kind donation and their continued hard work protecting local communities. The Park hopes to work with the fire service and other local organizations in the future, to reuse materials which can be used to create engaging animal enrichment, while saving them from landfill.
Visitors to Woburn Safari Park can spot the new enrichment made from old fire hose in the Land of Lemurs Walkthrough enclosure, a woodland habitat where they can walk freely among ring-tailed, black-and-white ruffed and red-bellied lemurs.