Local businesses are on a roll when it comes to recycling.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is recycling tyres that have already been reused by South Devon College.
The one hundred sack truck tyres were surplus to requirements and donated to South Devon College by Handle IT of Ipplepen. South Devon College used them at a recent event – now Paignton Zoo is giving them to animals to play with.
Janice Morris, South Devon College Events & Lettings Coordinator, said: “We used the tyres as unusual table centrepieces at our Formula 1 sports dinner with Murray Walker. After that, we wanted to ensure they could be put to good use elsewhere, and as a frequent visitor to Paignton Zoo I am thrilled that they are using them.”
Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Over the years our keepers have made use of car tyres, tractor tyres and even a track from an armoured vehicle, which became a climbing frame for gorillas. It just shows what you can do if you think outside the box!”
Zoo keepers will give the tyres to small primates such as tamarins and Geoldi’s monkeys to play with. They will be hung up on ropes, bolted together and use as climbing frames or to hide food in.
Environmental enrichment aims to encourage natural feeding and foraging behaviours, stimulate mental and physical activity and provoke curiosity using unusual objects and situations. It can range from puzzle feeders and wind chimes to unusual scents and cardboard boxes with food hidden inside.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has won awards for its enrichment work, hosted a major regional conference on the subject in 2006 and is due to host an international conference in June this year.
ENDS
PICTURE AVAILABLE
Telephone: 01803 697568
Fax: 01803 523457
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk
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Philip Knowling 01803 697568
