Fire service sustainable partnership sees unwanted fire hose put to creative use

A zoo in the North East of England has shown how recycling fire hoses can have great benefits for animals great and small. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service responded to Northumberland Zoo‘s request for unwanted materials to enhance their animal enclosures.

This was a great chance for the service to keep its green credentials and commitment to recycling or repurposing equipment that’s no longer fit for operational use. The family run zoo based in Felton in Morpeth and houses 90 species of animals with around 400 animals in total living on its 20 acres of land.

Over 300 metres of hose have been put to good use with animals, including snow leopards, lemurs, goats, raccoons and arctic foxes, benefitting from hoses being made in to hammocks and platform toppers within their enclosures. 

The donation of 200 metres of old line rescue rope has also been creatively used in Northumberland Zoo’s barns to hang hay nets and toys for animals, including the goats and horses.

“As a service, we try to recycle a large proportion of our materials to help protect the environment and save the equipment from being sent to landfill.”

Anthony Hall, Operational Workshop Team Leader at TWFRS.

Maxine Bradley, Zoo Manager at Northumberland Zoo, said that fire hose is a tough and versatile product ideal for creating hammocks, platforms, hanging enrichment devices and feeders for the zoo’s inhabitants.

“It is amazing to have a partnership with a local service who are happy for us to make use of their waste for the benefit of our animals.

Maxine Bradley, Zoo Manager at Northumberland Zoo.

Northumberland Zoo is keen to use more fire hose at the zoo and for its relationship with TWFRS to continue as they both seek to increase their drive for sustainability.