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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) has donated 90 fire extinguishing hoses to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP), which will reuse them for use in a new orangutan habitat in North Sumatra.
This is the third donation of its kind made by SCDF to various wildlife organizations, as part of their efforts to “breathe new life into old fire-fighting hoses,” it said in a press release on Monday (December 21 ).
These hoses are considered “beyond cost-effective repair and can no longer be repaired,” SCDF added.
SCDF had already donated hoses to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) in May 2016 and again in November this year.
“SCDF is pleased to be able to breathe new life into our old fire hoses and do our part in the global green movement,” said Col Wesley Ho, director of SCDF’s logistics department.
“We believe the hoses contribute significantly to WRS and SOCP’s efforts to protect and care for wildlife.”
An orangutan hanging from a vine made from repurposed hoses. (Photo: Singapore Wildlife Reserves)
In the latest donation, the hoses will be shipped to Medan, Indonesia, where they will be used in a semi-wild home for orangutans in North Sumatra.
The facility, which is still under construction, covers nine islands that “need to be furnished in an appropriate way” for orangutans.
The facility is the first of its kind in the world for orangutans, SCDF said in the statement.
The furniture should be “very strong, robust and with paths and resting places on the ground that adapt to the natural behavior and physiology of orangutan climbing,” said SCDF, adding that fire hoses are the most appropriate material for use.
“Hoses can be manipulated in many different ways that provide multidimensional, stimulated, climbing, and resting environments for orangutans,” he said.
“Fire hoses are especially important in a humid climate like Sumatra, where materials often require a lot of maintenance and have a short life.”
SOCP’s Dr Ian Singleton said the hoses will be “invaluable for use” in the new habitats.
“SOCP is pleased and relieved to hear that SCDF has listened to their request for assistance and accepted the challenge, donating and helping organize a shipment of over 1000kg of their used fire hoses to help furnish these islands and homes for the orangutans, “he said.
“With Sumatran orangutans critically endangered, every piece of assistance can contribute to the ongoing work of helping orangutans survive.”
Col. Anthony Toh, 4th SCDF Division Commander (left) with Ms. Gail Laule, Director of Animal Presentation, pose for a photo during the delivery of the hoses to WRS. (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
In addition to the donation to SOCP, 94 fire hoses were also donated to WRS in November.
The hoses were reused to improve animal housing, as well as to make hammocks and swings, vines and ropes, platforms, support structures, ramps and stairs, and visual barriers.
As the material is durable and safe for animals, they were also woven into devices to keep animals mentally and physically stimulated, such as puzzle feeders for hiding food or for different types of food essence to be sprinkled to increase the senses of animals.
Two dogs from the Singapore Zoo’s Animal Friends Show sit on a bed made from fire hoses. (Photo: Singapore Wildlife Reserves)
A binturong makes use of an open patio space furnished with structures made of fire hoses. (Photo: Singapore Wildlife Reserves)
Ms. Gail Laule, director of animal presentation at WRS, said they found the materials to be versatile as well.
“Our animal care teams can meet a variety of needs … mentally and physically stimulate our animals or create a soft bed for them,” he said.
“We love teaming up with like-minded partners to increase more sustainable ways of living and reduce our impact on the environment.”
