Royal Navy sailors build new home for endangered leopard at Dartmoor Zoo
Sailors from HMS St Albans helped build a new enclosure at Dartmoor Zoo which will be used to house a critically endangered leopard.
Forty-five members of the crew worked at the zoo to create a new home for an Amur leopard which is due to arrive in September.
The work at the zoo was done to meld the new group of sailors as they prepare to bring their ship back to frontline operations and help them to bond as a team.
Engineer Technician Rufus Comasky, who was among the sailors involved in the construction, said: "I have really enjoyed the outreach work. It has been a great break from a fast-paced commissioning period.
"I have had the chance to work with team members I haven't worked with before and had the opportunity to lead tasks with other members of the ship's company.
"I am particularly proud of the fence we have built, and I hope to bring the leadership skills I have exercised today back to work and, hopefully, with me as I progress my career."
Amur leopards have been listed as critically endangered since 1996 and there are believed to only be around 120 left in the wild. They can be found in Russia and a few places in China.
HMS St Albans is currently undergoing major upgrades, with new sensors and weapons systems being installed.
She will also have a new power generation and propulsion system as part of the Type 23 life extension, which many of the class have already undergone.
Lieutenant Commander Byron Linn, HMS St Albans Executive Officer, said: "Outreach like this helps my team bond – sailors get the opportunity to approach a challenge as a collective and work and chat with other members of the ship's company whom they would not usually work with.
"Collective community outreach is important; Plymouth actively supports the Royal Navy and when the opportunity presents itself, it's great to be able to help."
The ship is currently docked at Devonport naval base.
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