Design Challenge #3

Design Challenge #3 Designing a Zoo Enclosure

Name: ______Date: May 13 th , 2012

Due Date: May 25 th , 2012

Background

When designing a new enclosure for a zoo facility, a number of factors have to be taken into account, including all the needs of the species that you are designing the enclosure for such as the number of animals the enclosure will house, its welfare and safety.

All of the needs of the species are taken into account when designing an enclosure; such as their behaviour, reproduction, habitat, feeding, and activity budgets. For example, an animal that lives in the trees needs to be provided with lots of opportunities for climbing on ropes and branches.

The needs of the visitor also need to be taken into account to incorporate covered areas for wet days, maximising the potential for animal viewing balanced with an animal's requirement for privacy. You also need to consider the needs of the zoo keepers who will feed, care for and clean the animal enclosures daily.

The Task You have recently been contracted by a major zoo (perhaps it is in Toronto, London, Asia or even here in Nova Scotia) to design an enclosure for a new animal that will soon be arriving at the zoo.

You will need to:

1. Select the real animal species for which you will be designing a habitat (e.g. lions, pandas, penguins, pythons, gorillas, etc.);

2. Conduct research on your animal:

a. Become familiar with its normal habits in the wild (e.g. does it live in the trees, a desert, hot environments, cold environments, is it noctural, social/solitary, etc.)

b. What factors would you need to consider to ensure it is not overly stressed in its new environment. For example, how much space does it require in a natural setting (e.g. is it a herd animal vs. a solitary animal, would it normally be found out in the open or is it an animal that normally hides or camouflages itself, etc.)

c. What stimulation (recreational facilities, etc.) will your animal need in its enclosure?

d. What materials would be safe to use with this animal? What materials might be a problem to use in the enclosure?

e. What safety risks does this animal pose to zoo keepers and visitors and how will you remove these risks?

f. Research how other zoos have enabled animals to “get away from visitors” at times, but still enable visitors to enjoy observing the animals (without causing the animal unnecessary stress);

3. Design the enclosure using a CAD program (give specific dimensions and include details such as feeding areas, sleep areas, “play areas”, zoo keeper safety zones, and viewing areas, etc.;

4. Visit the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park to meet a real zoo enclosure designer and explore design elements present at the zoo; 5. Build a 3D model (diorama) of your animal’s new habitat/enclosure based on your CAD ideas.

6. Create a PowerPoint which explains all the details of the elements you put into place outlining how your habitat will meet all the needs of the animal, the zoo keeper and the visitors. Make sure all members of your group have it!

7. Present your design to the stakeholders (the class) and wow us with all your details. http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=49§ion=4