Bucks Fire and Rescue donate old hoses to Woburn Safari Park animals
The park's Lemur's are the first to benefit from the hose
Last updated 3rd Aug 2023
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) have given their hoses a second lease of life, after they were approached by an animal keeper at Woburn Safari Park.
Their hoses are being passed on to the park for their small animals, and will be used to create enrichment for those such as lemurs and squirrel monkeys.
Old fire hoses apparently make great enrichment resources and will be used to make things for the animals such as hammocks, ladders platforms and feeding devices.
The Team at BFRS had been looking for a way to dispose of a batch of their hoses that had just been de-commissioned.
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.
“While we do repair or cut down hoses, there comes a point where it is no longer a viable or safe option. When a hose is beyond repair, it is decommissioned, and unfortunately there are not that many disposal routes for them.
"The hoses are around 25 metres in length and made from Duraline (a high-grade synthetic rubber and polyamide jacket). As a Service we are always looking for more environmentally friendly ways to protect the environment we work in, and this extends to how we dispose of end-of-life equipment and waste."
Catherine Doherty, Acting Head of Animal Encounters at Woburn Safari Park said:
“We’re really grateful to the Team at BFRS 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!”
Tony added:
“When this opportunity came up we were thrilled to think that our old equipment could be donated to the animals. It’s great to think that we have contributed to enriching the lives of the lemurs and their friends within the Foot Safari.
“There is scope for us to build on this, as other large animals at this park, or others, may be able to benefit from future batches of fire hose or other larger pieces of equipment, such as old tyres from appliances and vans, when we need to dispose of them.”