A novel bimetallic adsorbent was prepared by activation using zirconium immobilized alkali-active chrome-tanned leather particles (ZACLP). The as-prepared adsorbent was characterized and applied to fluoride removal from ground water near the hot spring. The batch adsorption was carried out to investigate the adsorption properties of fluoride on ZACLP. The adsorption of fluoride on ZACLP was well described by the Langmuir equation and the fluoride removal capacity of 30.49 mg g(-1) was fitted. In addition, based on the characterization, the adsorption mechanism of fluoride on ZACLP was proposed, including electrostatic interaction as well as ion exchange.