T: 01492 532938
E: info@welshmountainzoo.org
Old Highway, Colwyn Bay, Conwy,
North Wales, LL28 5UY
North Wales Fire Service indulges in monkey business!!
- 14th July 2024
- Kaitlyn Jenkins
North Wales Fire Service has recently donated lengths of fire hose to the Welsh Mountain Zoo – The National Zoo of Wales, to the benefit of many animals, not least the inquisitive and playful Chimpanzees.
Fire hose makes an ideal enrichment tool for the Zoo's primates who use the rope to aid travel, balance and grapple; thereby providing physical enrichment. Fire hose also provides an ideal material for Keepers to make intricate enrichment feeding devices, promoting natural foraging and problem-solving behaviours. The new hose is an absolute treat for the playful primates who haven’t received a similar donation since 2019!
Kaitlyn Jenkins, Marketing and Sales Executive at the Welsh Mountain Zoo explained: “We have lots of enquiries regarding donations and support; but unfortunately, we can’t accept the majority of donations as they can be inappropriate, unusable or unsafe for the animals in our care. Fire hose however when properly deconstructed and prepared by our Keepers is absolutely perfect for providing a variety of enrichment opportunities to multiple species across the Zoo.
"Though the Welsh Mountain Zoo actively provides a range of different enrichment activities for the animals in its care, kind donations such as those from the North Wales Fire Service further provides the Zoo with opportunities to work closely with the local community."
“Furthermore, enrichment like this is critical for all of our animals to promote a variety of appropriate natural behaviours, keeping them stimulated and energised both physically and mentally. Finding new and different ways of using everyday items forms an important part of the enrichment process. It’s fascinating to see how different animals use the various materials and it is of course a great way of recycling unwanted items that we can put to great use.”
For details on how you can donate to the Welsh Mountain Zoo and support the animals in their care check out https://www.welshmountainzoo.org/conservation/donations-support or email marketing@welshmountainzoo.org
Photo credit: Matt Rimmer
