We’ve formed a partnership with Zoos SA to help brighten the lives of animals at Adelaide Zoo while also giving equipment set for landfill a new lease on life.
In conjunction with the City of Marion, we have been storing brushes discarded by our hard-working Street Sweeper team and delivering them to Adelaide Zoo as unique enrichment opportunities for animals including goats, tapirs and tortoises.
The initiative is driven by Fleet Manager Evert Verhage - who works across both councils - and arranges delivery of the brushes to grateful Zoo staff.
Zookeeper Meg Williams said the brushes were popular new additions to various enclosures.
“Lots of our animals do love enrichment. It’s a huge part of being in a zoo and working in a zoo,” she shared.
“It’s exciting for them, it’s something new that we can present to them, and it just makes us really happy as well seeing them really happy. Being able to recycle the sweepers has been incredible because we are a charity organisation that loves to recycle and re-use.
“We’ve really worked well with the City of Charles Sturt and the City of Marion to be able to bring this idea to life.”
City of Charles Sturt CEO Paul Sutton said the partnership proved how recycling can come in many forms.
“It’s an innovative and fun way to recycle something that would otherwise have no further purpose. We’re delighted to see the animals enjoying themselves with our old sweeper brushes,” he said.
“It’s a great example of our commitment to recycling here in the City of Charles Sturt in general. Sometimes, a courageous new idea can really make a difference to people’s lives, or even animals’ lives in this case.
“The fact we are supporting and engaging with an iconic charitable organisation in Zoos SA is also fantastic and something we are super proud of.”
Employees continue to consider ways to potentially expand the program in the future by experimenting with other items or involving more animals, such as those at Monarto Safari Park.
Williams said the Zookeepers themselves also loved seeing the animals interact with the brushes.
“The goats are by far my favourite! They all want to explore the brush when we give it to them as enrichment,” she laughed.
“The tortoises are a highlight because they do a little side-to-side dance when they scratch.
“It’s really fun for us, as well as the animals.”
