ZOOS VICTORIA Hippo Habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo Victoria, Australia Rather than polluting the costal waters, this eco-friendly resort treats, stores and reuses wasterwater to irrigate and enhance the local landscape. oos Victora is commit- and U.S. partners Studio Zted to reducing water Hanson Roberts, we devel- consumption while maintain- oped a marsh concept using a ing diverse environments 6,000-square-meter wetland for the animals at its three which provides treatment zoos and providing visitors and habitat while enhancing with immersive experiences. the zoo exhibit. Because the Spanning over three hect- treatment is passive, signifi- ares, the Kubu River Hippos cant capital and energy savings Experience in the Werribee were immediately realized, Open Range Zoo features resulting in more money for eight adult hippos in three animal care and the exhibit. separate pools that are con- nected hydraulically. Using low head, high flow pumps water is circulated one Biohabitats designed a time a day through the 6000 system to treat the exhibit’s m2 wetlands where suspended 2,000-cubic-meter pools and solids and nutrients are the organic waste from the removed. The nutrients and hippos. Recognizing that suspended solids provide food hippos play a major role in for native micro and macro the East African river ecology invertebrates and fish that feed by providing nutrients for on these organisms. The fish, algae eating fish, Biohabitats in turn, become food for birds. considered a design which A portion of the treated efflu- incorporated an Australian ent water is used for irrigation. Ecosystem. Working with a Make up water is provided local Australian design team from the Werribee River. conservation planning ecological restoration regenerative design 800.220.0919 www.biohabitats.com.