18 June 2014
The cheetah enclosure at Parken Zoo has received A new family member. This time in the form of a Volvo L90 wheel loader, painted in the typical cheetah pattern. The exotic touch is the result of a new exciting collaboration between Parken Zoo and Volvo CE (Volvo Construction Equipment). Two Eskilstuna organisations, both of which have the environment high on their agenda. Now they hope to draw more attention to all that Eskilstuna has to offer, both as a town and a destination.
”Placing a Volvo L90 Wheel Loader in the cheetah enclosure may seem unexpected,” says Irja Bäckström, CEO of Parken Zoo Eskilstuna. ”This cheetah-patterned machine will stand as a symbol of our shared interest and work for a better environment and biodiversity. It also stands as a symbol of two strong brands in Eskilstuna that have contributed in different ways to how Eskilstuna looks today.” What many may not know is that Eskilstuna is the home of Volvo wheel loaders. It was here that it was once invented 60 years ago, and modern wheel loaders are still developed here today. The now cheetah-patterned Volvo L90 Wheel Loader has previously been used in the development phase of new wheel loaders. Having fulfilled its duties with flying colours, it can now live on at Parken Zoo, while giving the playful felines a different kind of home. Perfect for both rest and sleep. But the wheel loader is also a symbol of the two organisations' long-term environmental work.
Parken Zoo, which has initiated environmental commitments and aims for certification, Volvo CE, which has begun a collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and its programme Climate Savers. All this to reduce carbon emissions and environmental footprints while also protecting biodiversity. The fact that both Parken Zoo and Volvo CE are important to Eskilstuna as a town and destination further benefits a collaboration.
”With the upcoming summer season and many visitors from all over the country travelling here, we naturally hope that as many people as possible will discover all the beautiful things Eskilstuna has to offer. Both in the area and here at Parken Zoo, there is always something new to learn, just a day trip away,” concludes Irja Bäckström.
Name competition for the Volvo L90 wheel loader
To further cement the newcomer to the cheetah enclosure, a naming competition is being organised for the public on Parken Zoo's Facebook page. Everyone has the opportunity to suggest names for the wheel loader; the winner will receive entry to Parken Zoo for the whole family, plus a scale model of a Volvo wheel loader. The competition runs until 25 June. The winner will be announced on the Facebook page.