Barrier Designs for Zoos - ZooLex Zoo Design Organization

3.4 Arboreal species – jumping & climbing
39
CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY
3.4.1 Monkeys (Rhesus, Stump-tailed, Assamese, Crab-eating and Bonnet)
Nature of the Animal
Living mainly on trees in villages and in the foothills of jungles and the plains, troops of 20-30
monkeys may be found feeding on the ground or in the trees. Fruits, berries, leaves and shoots,
insects and spiders form their diet. They are good swimmers. The Rhesus feeds mainly on the
ground and eats ground plants, insects and spiders. Sometimes these macaques also raid cultivated
fields and gardens. Adapted to urban life, these macaques can also be found in the busy streets
of towns and around temples.
It is suggested that 4.5m wide and 4.5m deep V-shaped dry moat can be provided as front
barrier, while a 5m high wall can form the rear barrier. Alternately a 5m high chain link fence
with 1m wide inward inclined steel plate overhang can be provided.
Analysis of Barrier Dimensions
MONKEYS Width (M) Depth(M)/Height(H) Moat type
Indian Zoos:
Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad N.A. N.A. Wet
Indira Gandhi Zoo, Vishakhapatnam 6.0 4.0 Dry
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur N.A. Wet
S. V. Zoological Park, Tirupati 4.5 3.0 Dry
Foreign Zoos :
Frankfurt Zoo 4.0 3.2 –
South Wales Zoo
N.A. - Not Available
4.5 4.5 –
Note: The fences should have smooth overhangs.
Barrier Suggestions
i) The following dimensions of moats have been adopted by different zoos. Vandallur and
Hyderabad Zoo have provided wet moats while all other Indian Zoos have dry moats.
ii) Where space has been a constraints chain link covered enclosures have been provided.