Twycross apes benefit from firefighting equipment donation
Hoses turned into hammocks, swings and balls at the Leicestershire zoo
Last updated 23rd Jul 2024
Hoses once used by fire crews at East Midlands Airport have been donated to some of the more playful residents at Twycross Zoo.
Apes and primates at the facility are to get access to the former fire fighting equipment after it was repurposed into hammocks, swings and balls.
Around 500 metres of the old hosing was handed over to keepers in charge of the great ape house at Twycross, which is based just down the M42 from the airport.
The material is said to be strong and flexible, making it ideal for the job.
Food can also be hid inside for the zoo’s primates to find, including the recently born François’ langur monkeys and the four great apes - gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans.
The donation was realised after Watch Manager Lee Bowyer contacted Twycross to see if the old hose could be reused for the apes.
After discussions with the zoo, they now hope cargo netting and straps to fasten items to vehicles could be among other contenders to make the move from the airfield to the ape house as they wear out.
Head of Fire & Rescue at EMA Martin Lindsey said: “We had around 18 lengths of hosing, each up to 30 metres long, that were beyond use. I would never have dreamt that they could end up being put to good use by gorillas, chimps and orangutans!
“We were absolutely delighted to hand them over to Twycross Zoo and while it’s the first time we’ve done this, it won’t be the last. There are other materials that having spoken to the zoo, we know they could put to use for the apes.”
Lynsey Bugg, Senior Curator at Twycross Zoo said: “We are immensely grateful to EMA for their donation of firehose for our apes. As a charity, this kind of support from our local community means a great deal and will help to enrich the lives of the great apes we care for, whilst also supporting our sustainability commitments. We can’t wait to work together again in the future.”