Andean bears, otters and meerkats foraging inside treat-filled cubes - all thanks to decommissioned fire hoses from Bristol Airport.
The unusual donations are part of a long-running sustainability partnership between the Airport and Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in North Somerset, giving old fire hoses a new purpose as animal enrichment.
Bristol Airport has been donating them to the zoo and conservation charity for several years as part of an ongoing sustainability initiative. The flexible, all-weather material makes perfect enrichment for curious animals such as Andean bears, Meerkats and Asian Short-Clawed otters, encouraging natural behaviours like climbing, foraging and problem-solving.
From fire hose hearts for the Andean Bears to an ‘otterly’ innovative enrichment cube, the repurposed fire hoses have quickly made a splash across the zoo. The hose’s soft woven texture provides a safe and stimulating material for animals to explore, chew, and play with -proving that sustainability can be both practical and enriching.
Emma Ogborne, Head Bear Keeper at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, explained, “It’s a brilliant way to give retired equipment a new lease of life. The animals love interacting with the hoses and it’s great to see local organisations working together to reduce waste and support animal welfare.”
Antony Nash, Leading Firefighter at Bristol Airport, added, “We’re proud to support Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and delighted the 14 fire hoses we’ve donated today can be recycled in such a creative way. It’s a fun, sustainable partnership that benefits both animals and the environment. This latest donation marks an eight-year partnership we’ve had with Noah’s Ark, and during that time around 100 hoses have been donated weighing more than a tonne in weight.”
The fire hose donations form part of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s wider commitment to sustainability and recycling. The Zoo works with local partners to reduce waste and find innovative ways to reuse materials wherever possible - ensuring even retired equipment can help enrich the lives of animals and inspire visitors to think differently about waste.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is home to over 100 species including elephants, lions, rhinos and bears, and is a registered conservation charity committed to sustainable practices and animal welfare.
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