Three local charity zoos in the South West are quite literally giving another charity the shirts off their backs.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall are donating their old uniforms to PASA.
PASA, better known as the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance, are a group of primate sanctuaries.
Sewing over the old
Volunteers at Paignton Zoo, headed by volunteer seamstress Nikki Stewart are busy sewing over the logos and preparing the clothes for shipping.
it’s not just the polo shirts that are getting the needle and thread.
Clothing items include sweatshirts, fleeces, waterproof coats and trousers along with the random hat.
Paignton Zoo Mammal keeper, Gemma Keohane who has organised the donation said:
I’m very excited to have the chance to play my small part, I know how much difference the uniform will make, it’s so worthwhile. I’ve not had a chance to count the mountain of clothing yet, but I imagine it will be around 150 items.
Phil Knowling, a spokesperson for the Zoo said:
Recycling old uniforms is environmentally friendly – and sending them to sanctuaries in Africa is another great way to support conservation. It means our old uniforms have a second life
Destination, Sierra Leone
Once the items are ready for shipping a courier will take the items to a warehouse in London.
From London they will be taken by Manor River Freight Services who will then ship the boxes to Sierra Leone by boat.
It is thought that the shipment will take around a month to arrive at Sierra Leone.
PASA Annual Conference
Each year the PASA annual conference takes place in Freetown, Sierra Leone at the beginning of November.
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance is the largest wildlife centres in Africa with over 23 member organisations across 13 countries.
All organisations are working to secure a future for Africa’s primates and their habitat.
Further details about Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and PASA can be found on their respected websites.
