Disused plastic olive barrels are being turned into toys for Dartmoor Zoo's resident tiger as part of a new recycling initiative.
The zoo has teamed up with Devon Contract Waste (DCW) and South West artisan food producer Olives Et Al on the scheme, which is reusing barrels that would usually be chipped down or recycled into everyday items such as benches.
The new toys are for a male Amur tiger - called Dragan - and provide "stimulation" and "encourage natural behaviours", according to the zoo.
Stuart Franklin, the zoo's maintenance manager, said: “When you work closely with endangered species, you become keenly aware of how negatively man’s economic activities can impact on every ecosystem.
"It is hugely important to get multiple uses out of every resource, and this plays a fundamental role in our green initiatives on site. This was the driving factor behind implementing our partnership with DCW and the Dartmoor Zoo team are very excited about what the recycling future holds."
Dorset-based Olives Et Al said it was "delighted" to see its old barrels given a new lease of life.
“Normally, they’d go into normal recycling streams, maybe chipped down for groundworks or turned into a bench," said Giles of Olives Et Al.
"But to recycle them by turning them into playthings for a tiger? That’s much more fun — and we can’t wait to see how Dragan enjoys them.”
Grant Scott, general manager at DCW - a subsidiary of SUEZ Recycling and Recovery Ƶ - added: “When we first started our circular economy journey with Dartmoor Zoo, we wanted to go beyond the usual ask and find ways to make a real difference.
"‘Toys for Tigers’ is a first for us — but it’s exactly the kind of project that shows how circular thinking can benefit communities, organisations, and even animals.”
