"Zoo 360" from the Philadelphia Zoo
Strides are Being Made
Zoo 360 is a campus-wide network of exploration trails--for animals. Featuring elevated trails surrounded with see-through hexagonal wire mesh that allow animals to roam above, across, and around the park. Animals are able to explore, circle through and around visitors, who can see them through tunnels of galvanized mesh, creating more interest and exercise for the animals and revolutionizing the experience for visitors. This allows animals to be observed in action and doing more of what they would do in the wild. Rather than existing in stationary exhibits--animals can wander, be more active and are less bored, which:
- enhances their quality of life
- lets them travel longer distances
- allows them to explore a variety of environments
- links habitats, where appropriate
Some examples:
- Treetop Trail--smaller primates can visibly walk or swing through tops of trees.
- Gorilla Treeway--higher places to observe and explore with an extensive area to move about.
- Big Cat Crossing--tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, pumas, and others are able to prowl about and get some exercise.
- Meerkat Maze--an underground world where Meerkats can do what they do--running, digging, popping their heads out of their burrows and observing the scene above.
Here is a video that will give you a look at the latest developments at the Philadelphia Zoo.
And these smart folks at the zoo know that stainless steel mesh resists rust, corrosion, and stands up to harsh chemicals. They also use rust resistant vinyl coated mesh which resists destructive elements such as acid rain and guards against abrasion while the black coating works as an invisibility cloak, creating a non-distracted view--much better than green and not as prone to glare as the galvanized grey. And the happy answer here is less maintenance and replacement, because the galvanization is reinforced with highly bonded PVC which extends the life of the fence indefinitely.
An Enriched Experience
Inside those walls of mesh--an animal's environment is improved through the provision of:
- trees with various levels for perching
- vines
- a variety of ground, soil and rock modifications
- nesting and den possibilities
- programs of positive reinforcement that stimulate cognitive abilities
- familiar and unfamiliar scents
- recordings of sounds that would be heard in the wild
- food that is hidden, buried or scattered so that an effort must be made to attain it as in the wild
- toys that are of particular interest to a given species
- programs for which you can sponsor a specific animal and also make contributions for toys etc.
Well done!
Progress is being made and the Philadelphia Zoo is evidence of that. We here at Louis Page applaud this innovation and congratulate the zoo's fine work on the behalf of the animals and the visitors!
