Baboons at the Oakland Zoo enjoy fire hose enrichment in their enclosure. The fire hose has been fashioned into a ladder that goes between their platforms.

Through a partnership agreement with Hose2Habitat.org retired fire hoses from northern California are getting a second life as animal enrichment items. The hose is fashioned into ladders, hammocks, bridges, browsers, beds and other items. Animal keepers and caretakers prefer fire hose because it's safe for animals, durable and can be sanitized.

Forest Service Photo by Kerry Greene