Designing Built-in Animal Enrichments 2017 Zoo Design Conference, Wrocław, Poland Mariusz Bleszynski AIA, Exhibit Designer PGAV Destinations, St. Louis U.S.A. 1
Enrichment Choices Keeper-Initiated Spontaneously added by keepers Novelty and mental exercise Portable devices, sensory, toys, training, etc. Hidden treats Social grouping On-exhibit training Stimulated by Habitat Planned by keepers and designers as part of physical and climatic exhibit environment Choice and control over environment, multiple yards, off exhibit Places to rest, sun / shade Shallow stream, wading, deep water diving Digging pits Climbing, perching 2
Enrichment Options Built-in Animal activated Keeper activated Changeable 3
Built-in enrichment Design challenges Enrichment program anticipated during design Be enticing to animals and guests for life of exhibit Easy to operate and maintain Durable Animal-safe Guest-safe Fit to budget 4
Built-in enrichment Animal Interaction Louisville Zoo Glacier Run truck on springs 5
Built-in enrichment Animal Interaction Louisville Zoo Glacier Run truck on springs 6
Built-in enrichment Animal Interaction Louisville Zoo Glacier Run truck on springs Durability Guest safety 7
Built-in enrichment Animal Interaction Louisville Zoo Glacier Run truck on springs Door modification Ice machine 8
Built-in enrichment Training Panels Bronx zoo tiger interaction Solid safety closure Safety barrier 9
Built-in enrichment Training Panels St. Louis zoo Polar Bear Exhibit -Transparent safety panel Metal mesh behind glass doors swing 170 Removable barrier to keep public in safe distance 10
Built-in enrichment Training Panels St. Louis zoo Polar Bear Exhibit - Transparent safety panel 11
Built-in enrichment Training Panels Louisville zoo elephant exhibit Two elephant-activated showerheads Training panel Showerhead on guest side activated by elephants Foe gate with multiple training doors Trainer / keeper area Low fence for guest safety 12
Built-in enrichment Training Panels Louisville zoo elephant exhibit Elephant shower head Shower activating buttons open remote solenoid valve Training gate with multiple doors 13
Built-in enrichment Training Panels Louisville Zoo Glacier Run Exhibit 2 panels on either side or guests, connected by tunnel under pathway Solid panel over mesh opening Rigid, operable safety barrier Exhibit access gate 14
Built-in enrichment Training Panels Louisville zoo - Glacier Run Exhibit Training panel also serves as exhibit service gate 15
Built-in enrichment Bear Diving Louisville zoo - Glacier Run Exhibit - section Located near pool inlet to carry thawing fish smell into entire pool 16
Built-in enrichment Bear Diving Louisville zoo - Glacier Run Exhibit plan view Discs are lowered and then rotated to lock in place 17
Built-in enrichment Bear Diving Louisville zoo - Glacier Run Exhibit SIKU diving routine 18
Built-in enrichment Polar bear ice treat St. Louis zoo - Polar Bear Exhibit Commercial grade icemaker Pivoting joint Reinforced FRP icicle Ice accumulates on ground 19
Built-in enrichment Polar bear ice treat St. Louis zoo - Polar Bear Exhibit Ice accumulates in shaded rockwork depression with drain nearby (not below) 20
Built-in enrichment Polar bear floating ice St. Louis zoo - Polar Bear Exhibit Mini FRP iceberg filled with foam for buoyancy Ballast to control flotation 21
Built-in enrichment Polar / grizzly bear ideas St. Louis zoo Grizzly Bear Exhibit Food pocket in FRP deadfall trunk Pivoting joint, stainless steel chain Rockwork footing 22
Built-in enrichment Polar / grizzly bear ideas St. Louis zoo Grizzly Bear Exhibit - shake the pole to dislodge the food Food pocket Natural wood or synthetic pole Chain and lock Concrete socket in exhibit floor rockwork 23
Built-in enrichment Polar / grizzly bear ideas St. Louis zoo Grizzly Bear Exhibit Hollow tree stump Metal bars as added challenge Dry food in rockwork depression Rockwork formed as tree stump 24
Built-in enrichment Polar / grizzly bear ideas St. Louis zoo Grizzly Bear Exhibit Wobbling Stump Rotating FRP tree stump Pivoted connection Hidden dry food Footing 25
Built-in enrichment Bear Fish Chute Concept bear hunting for food on floating ice Platform themed as floating ice Fish chute pipe Basin adjacent to skimmer Pool skimmer 26
Built-in enrichment Bear Fish Chute Minnesota zoo gravity fed chute Removable cap with padlock PVC tube embedded in wall above water level Pool 27
Built-in enrichment Bear Fish Chute Minnesota zoo gravity fed chute PVC tube encased in concrete wall Locking device behind removable cap Interpretive opportunity 28
Built-in enrichment Clam Cannon Georgia Aquarium, U.S.A. Control panel indicates sequence of canon firing Pool pipe terminations at 6 locations 6 fish loading stations through strainers 29
Built-in enrichment Clam Cannon Georgia Aquarium, U.S.A. Monitoring on exhibit Clam strainer 30
Designing Built-in Animal Enrichments 2017 Zoo Design Conference, Wrocław, Poland Mariusz Bleszynski AIA, Exhibit Designer PGAV Destinations, St. Louis U.S.A. 31