Our enclosure design process

This term we have been learning about the design process. Our learning began with the trip to the zoo where we explored the specifically designed animal enclosures and noticed the considerations needed. We discovered that an enclosure needs to consider three main parties:

• the animal (of course)
• the public
• and the zoo staff

We also learnt that a modern zoo enclosure has to look naturalistic and try to replicate the natural environment of the animal, using planting and features that would be found in their natural habitats. They also needed to have enrichment activities for the animal so that it can continue to demonstrate its natural behaviours.

Our enclosures had specific success criteria:

• to have a private areas for the animal
• to have playing area for animal 
• to include enrichment activities for the animal
• to include public viewing areas
• to include barriers/boundary fencing (that may be disguised with planting)
• to include planting and natural features

We had heaps of fun creating our enclosures. Here are some photos of our finished designs.