TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —Taipei Zoo is using discarded marine buoys as animal toys, with some serving as swinging feeding troughs while others are tied to a tether.

All of the buoys were recovered from local beaches by the Taiwan Cetacean Society and the Ocean Conservation Administration. After cleaning and making modifications to remove sharp edges by volunteers, each has been determined safe for use by zoo animals, per press release.

Many of the buoys were once on fishing nets but due to storms and long-term use, their nets sank to the ocean floor and they drifted to shore. Most buoys are made from durable material such as high-density polyethylene and do not degrade in nature.

In the zoo, there are buoys in the pygmy hippo enclosure, while chimpanzees also enjoy buoys hung from trees, sometimes containing food. Zookeepers even have a buoy tethered to the ground for giant pandas.

The zoo’s use of discarded buoys also draws attention to marine pollution and environmental protection. Taipei Zoo said it would continue working with marine conservation groups to promote sustainable play and environmental awareness.