DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A primate center wants to make its apes swing _ and it's asking fire departments to help.
The Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary is looking for old fire hoses to use as vines, swings and hammocks for its great apes, which are scheduled to begin arriving this summer.
``Old fire hoses are perfect because of their durability to withstand the strength of a great ape _ and it helps the environment by recycling,'' said Andy Antilla, a senior animal caretaker at the center.
The center, located on 200 acres southeast of Des Moines, will be one of the largest great ape complexes in North America. It will be the first to house all four types of great apes, including bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, officials said.
Construction began last year and orangutans are scheduled to arrive this summer, with bonobos expected to arrive later this year, sanctuary officials said.
Antilla said the sanctuary can only use fire hoses that are rubber-lined with a cotton jacket and that are at least 10-feet long.
