BIOACTIVE BEDDING FOR ZOOS
AND ANIMAL PARKS
HIGH QUALITY
BIOBED is a peat-free animal bedding filled with beneficial microorganisms that help break down the organic waste left by your animals.
This results in a dust-free product, which is particularly suitable for animals who are sensitice to respiratory problems and similar conditions. Additionally, the active microorganisms reduce unpleasant odors caused by ammonia evaporation, creating a better bedding environment for your animals.
BIOBED can be used for animals of all sizes, from horses and giraffes to smaller animals such as reptiles and rodents.
APPLICATIONS
BIOBED can be used in almost all kinds of environments and for a wide range of animal types.
PROVEN BENEFITS
IN ZOOS
BIOBED has been used in zoos across Denmark for over a year now, receiving excellent feedback from zookeepers and staff. Reports from various facilities highlight significant dust reduction, leading to less cleaning and improved air quality.
This, in turn, has created a healthier environment for animals and noticeably better working conditions for staff. The bedding has also reduced odors in stables and enclosures, making the space more pleasant for animals and handlers alike. BIOBED is proving to be an effective and sustainable choice for zoos focused on animal welfare and operational efficiency.
IMPROVED AIR QUALITY
BIOBED bioactive bedding are an effective solution for improving air quality in animal stables and enclosures. It is designed to break down ammonia and other harmful gases that are naturally released from animal manure and urine in the bedding. When ammonia levels are reduced, it decreases odor issues and significantly improves air quality, benefiting both animals and people.
One additional advantage of BIOBED is the dust-reducing properties. The semi-moist environment full of microorganisms help to trap and contain dust particles that would otherwise circulate in the air. This dust reduction, alongside lower ammonia levels, contributes to a healthier, cleaner environment in the stables and enclosures. Improved air quality with reduced dust minimizes respiratory irritation, which can reduce stress on animals’ respiratory systems and improve their overall health and well-being over time.
Improved air quality reduces the risk of respiratory issues in animals and can contribute to better conditions, where both animal welfare and a healthy working environment for staff are high priorities.
BIOBED HAS A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL BEDDING MATERIALS.
DUST FREE
BIOBED creates minimal dust and provides better air quality, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory infections.
REDUCES ODOR
The active bio bedding reduces ammonia evaporation, which provides a better indoor environment, as both bad odor and the number of flies is reduced significantly.
BIOACTIVE
BIOBED is bioactive and helps to break down the organic waste from your animals. This means that it is easy to use and does not require as frequent changing.
ENVIRONMENT
BIOBED has a low carbon footprint and is produced organically.
BIOBED IN
ZOO COPENHAGEN
Henrik Futtrup from Copenhagen Zoo has, together with gardener Laura Berg Petersen and the rest of the garden, been responsible for testing the product thoroughly.
"BIOBED has done very well in the many different environments it has been tested in. Among other things it has been tested as bedding in stables, as a bottom layer in enclosures and not least as a growth medium for plants." - Henrik Futtrup.
BIOBED IN
REE PARK
Since 2022, Ree Park have worked intensively on optimizing the traditional way of managing stables for exotic animals, this includes the usage of different flooring material to secure better animal welfare and stable climate, benefitting both staff and animals. In this context we have been searching for serious corporation partners to succeed in both the direct goals, but also to make sure, that solutions are sustainable and carbon friendly.
Amongst several, tests in the market have left us with one outstanding corporation partner, who have understood the task and been willing to invest time in developing the needed material for securing animal welfare, better work environment and sustainability. The Danish company, Ny Vraa, has shown an immense dedication to this pioneer project, and we now start to see how colleagues around in the DAZA world, starts showing interest as the news spread. Part of the solution includes the use of arthropods, and we have thus dedicated employees at Ree Park, who have worked intensively with this project internally. Dedication equals knowhow and an educational capability to offer other institutions, whish then again spread new users and experience to benefit the zoo community.
To Ree Park there is no doubt that this is a game changer, even to the level where even stable design is now changing, to cope with new management methods. It has been and still is a great pleasure to develop in corporation with a professional and inspiring team like Ny Vraa and we can only recommend the serosity of Ny Vraa to any company or institution that may consider or aim for their corporation.
HOW TO USE BIOBED
Here are some insights and recommendations on how you can use BIOBED for your zoo animals.
1. START UP
Spread the BIOBED bedding in an even layer i the animal enclosure or stable. The thickness largely depends on the size of the animal using it. The organic texture of the bedding provides a firm but yeilding bottom layer.
2. REMOVE FECES
Remove wet spots and feces regularly and refill with fresh BIOBED as needed. How much You will need to refill depends on the animal and off course the size of the enclosure.
3. HEALTHY BOTTUM LAYER
The bedding will shortly be stamped into a firm 'mattres' while the top layer will dry up quickly and remain loose in texture.
4. LONG LASTING
The bedding will form a long lasting bioactive bottum, as long as it remains somewhat moist. The microorganisms will continuesly break down the organic material from the animals.
ENRICHMENT FOR ANIMALS
BIOBED offers excellent enrichment opportunities for animals that naturally forage and dig in forest floor environments, such as pigs, armadillos, and similar species.
Its organic composition of willow compost and chips closely mimics the texture and feel of a natural forest floor, encouraging animals to engage in natural behaviors like rooting, burrowing, and exploring. The layered structure of BIOBED provides a dynamic surface where animals can uncover hidden scents and textures, promoting mental stimulation and physical activity.
THE SENSORY EXPERIENCE OF BIOBED
Additionally, the active microorganisms in BIOBED help break down organic matter, creating a constantly evolving substrate that adds to the sensory experience.
This natural enrichment supports both the physical and psychological well-being of animals, making BIOBED an ideal choice for zoos and wildlife parks looking to provide a more interactive and naturalistic environment.
BIOBED IN ACTION
Here are some short stories from some of our customers that have switched to using BIOBED bedding from NY VRAA.
COPENHAGEN ZOO
We initially looked at the product from a climate perspective, but we quickly realized it offered several additional benefits we hadn’t considered.
Reduced dust levels are a significant factor in our use of BIOBED, as it seems to improve the animals’ overall health while also enhancing working conditions for our staff. Employees no longer need to wear masks when working in the stables, making their tasks more comfortable and safer.
RANDERS RAINFOREST
"The biggest difference since we switched to BIOBED has been the bad odor. It is now almost down to 10% of what it used to be, making it much more pleasant for our guests to walk through our many enclosures, and not least for our zookeepers to work in.
KRISTIANSAND ZOO
We find that BIOBED is easy to work with and simple to clean. The bedding in the various enclosures and stables lasts longer, and there is significantly less dust. This makes cleaning the stables much easier while also benefiting the animals.
AALBORG ZOO
Aalborg Zoo has introduced BIOBED in several different enclosures and stables and has observed many positive effects across the various types of environments.
"Amongst other things, we’ve used it in our Savannah Stable, home to zebras, kudus, and warthog, as well as in our South America House, where animals like tapirs, anteaters, and armadillos reside. Most notably, the air quality has greatly improved, with unpleasant odors nearly eliminated and dust levels reduced to almost zero. We are incredibly pleased to use BIOBED for our animals"
WHAT IS BIOBED?
BIOBED is a natural product that is completely peat-free and locally produced in Denmark, made with care for both the environment and animal welfare.
One of the standout features of BIOBED is its rich community of beneficial microorganisms. These naturally active microbes continuously work to break down organic waste from animals, creating a self-sustaining bioactive bed that improves the environment in the enclosures. By helping to decompose organic matter, these microorganisms reduce odors, decrease dust, and contribute to a healthier indoor climate with improved air quality. This active micro-life supports a more balanced environment, which not only benefits the animals’ respiratory health but also creates a cleaner, more pleasant space for caretakers and visitors.
With BIOBED, you’re choosing a bedding solution that respects nature while actively working to promote a healthier habitat in the animal enclosures and your workspace.
LOW CLIMATE INPACT
BIOBED has a remarkably low carbon footprint, measured at just 27 CO₂ equivalents per cubic meter. This minimal impact is largely due to the choice of materials: willow, grass, and herbs, which are all fast-growing crops. These plants can be harvested repeatedly, making them highly renewable resources. Willow, in particular, is an excellent carbon sink, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere as it grows, which helps offset emissions.
Minimal processing is required, reducing the energy consumption associated with traditional bedding materials. Unlike peat or heavily processed substrates, BIOBED involves limited soil disturbance, which helps preserve soil health and biodiversity while further reducing its environmental footprint.
By choosing BIOBED, you’re not only opting for a more sustainable bedding solution but also supporting a product with a low climate impact— one that aligns with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more circular, eco-friendly agricultural system.
