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Tropical Forests to Open continued

Above: The indoor dayroom inside the Gorilla Conservation Center features
natural-looking structures and substrates that give gorillas opportunities
to climb, play, and interact with one another and with guests.

husbandry and medicine over the past “As much as possible, we want the lives
Habitat Features 30 years. He was also an AZA inspector of animals in Tropical Forests to replicate
Many Zoo staff members were involved and team leader in more than 50 inspections the lives they would have in the wild,”
in the planning and design of Tropical of facilities around the world. “He is familiar said Adkesson. “They would spend time
Forests habitats, said Adkesson. They with most every gorilla habitat in the coun- throughout the day being active and
included members of the animal care staff try, so he knows about design considerations foraging for food.” To encourage foraging,
who care for the animals, veterinary teams, and what has worked and hasn’t worked. enrichment devices will be placed
conservation and animal welfare scientists, He’s been able to cherry-pick the best throughout the habitat. The devices
the Zoo’s facilities team, as well as the of the best.” dispense food and other items randomly
education and graphic design teams. The dynamic environments will include throughout the day, which stimulates
“Dr. Meehan’s expertise and his rich running-water features, climbing structures, animals’ physical and mental activity.
history of involvement with gorillas has grasses, vines, and live trees and shrubs, “All of the spaces are custom designed
been instrumental in helping us design giving animals a plethora of choices in for the species they’re made for,” said
a state-of-the-art facility,” said Adkesson. how they use their habitat. Earth and grass Adkesson. “The gorillas spend most of
As an AZA veterinary advisor, Meehan will carpet the outdoor habitats and large their time on the ground. Their habitats
has interacted with the North American artificial trees will provide the animals are designed to provide engaging interactive
Gorilla SSP® management group, and re- with structures to climb and to build elements down low.”
ceived updates on developments in gorilla nests in for rest and sleep.

22 G A T E W A YS | TR OPICAL FOREST S T O OPEN
GATEWAYS | TROPICAL FORESTS TO OPEN