Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has given its retired hoses a new purpose by donating them to a family zoo in the county, where lemurs are now using the equipment for play and stimulation.
Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford were overjoyed with the fire service, sharing that the animals had been immediately taken to the kind gift.
“Our lemurs have been straight into it, exploring, climbing and investigating their brand-new enrichment,” a spokesman for the zoo glowed.
They added that the disused equipment had become “a brilliant way to keep curious minds active and engaged”.
“Thank you to the fire crew and everyone involved for your support,” they told Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“Our keepers (and lemurs!) are very grateful,” the spokesman added.
Commemorating the gesture, the zoo shared a picture of the firefighters posing with zoo staff and the excited animals, which could be seen clambering over those present and the donated hoses.
Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World is home to a range of lemur species originating from Madagascar, among them the endangered ring-tailed lemur.
HOO ZOO AND DINOSAUR WORLD
The Telford zoo has had particular success with its conservation efforts, welcoming two ring-tailed lemur births at the site earlier this year.
Ring-tailed lemurs face significant threats in their native habitat on the African island of Madagascar.
As such, captive breeding programmes at facilities such as Hoo Zoo are increasingly important for the species’ survival.
The rare and beautiful primates are found in the zoo’s Lemur Forest enclosure, where visitors are encouraged to walk among them.
Ring-tailed lemurs face significant threats in their native habitat on the African island of Madagascar
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GETTY
Elsewhere in Shropshire, a local pub was named the best in Britain, leaving the owners “stunned”. The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire, has been named Britain’s best boozer today, winning the Campaign for Real Ales Pub of the Year award.
The free house was bought by Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad nine years ago when it had failed under the ownership of a major pub company.
The Campaign for Real Ales (CAMRA) listed the pub as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ to protect it from being knocked down or redeveloped and almost a decade later, the work of Duncan and Grace has seen it win multiple awards.
The owners told GB News: “I think we’re both just stunned, I don’t think we’ve had the chance to feel like we’re celebrating, we’re just walking around in a daze because it’s mad really.
“It’s been a very hard nine years in the pub industry with Covid and the energy crisis, all those things have had a knock-on effect on license trade and the brewing industry.
“It feels like a massive accolade to hard work, and to the support of our customers and families who have helped make it happen.”
For the Bailey Head, community has been at the heart of what they do, with the pub regularly hosting charity quiz nights and live music.
The owners added: “We try to be very inclusive, we work with a charity called OsNosh, the local surplus food place, and lots of other people like that just to be an integral part of Oswestry and not just a pub.”