Barrier Designs for Zoos - ZooLex Zoo Design Organization
Barrier Designs for Zoos - ZooLex Zoo Design Organization
Barrier Designs for Zoos - ZooLex Zoo Design Organization
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BARRIER DESIGNS FOR ZOOS<br />
3.4.4 Nilgiri Langur<br />
The Nilgiri Langur is found in the South Indian hill ranges in sholas or stretches of dense<br />
evergreen <strong>for</strong>est. They are not confined to <strong>for</strong>ests and may invade gardens and belts of cultivated<br />
woodland. Their food is the customary vegetarian food of langurs but the species shows<br />
considerable adaptiveness. In planted areas the flowers and buds have become a major source of<br />
food. They are known to eat cardamom plant pith and other cultivated plants. They <strong>for</strong>age <strong>for</strong><br />
food in the morning, rest at noontime and come out to feed again in the cool evening hours.<br />
In the wild Nilgiri langur troops vary in size from 3 to 27 and averaging 8 to 9 animals per<br />
troop. Troop organization is on the basis of a single male leader with an adult sex ration of 1.2<br />
female to 1 male.<br />
Analysis of <strong>Barrier</strong> Dimensions<br />
NILGIRI LANGUR Width (M) Depth (M)/Height (H) Moat Type<br />
Indian <strong><strong>Zoo</strong>s</strong>:<br />
Indira Gandhi <strong>Zoo</strong>, Vishakhapatnam N.A. N.A. Dry<br />
Arignar Anna <strong>Zoo</strong>logical Park, Vandalur 9 2.7 Wet<br />
N.A. - Not Available<br />
Note: The fences should have smooth overhangs.<br />
<strong>Barrier</strong> Suggestions<br />
i) It is suggested that a 7m wide and 3.0m deep wet moat should be used on the visitors’<br />
side. If wet moat is difficult to maintain the dry moat depth should be 5m. The rear<br />
barrier can be of 5m tall sunken wall or chain link mesh fence of 5m height with 1m<br />
wide steel plate fixed on the top inclined inwards.<br />
ii) Chain link mesh fence of the above dimension can be provided all around if space is a<br />
limitation. Large toughened glass windows can be provided at few places as viewing<br />
window. Of course maximum jumping distance should be maintained from tree branches.<br />
3.4.5 Hoolock Gibbon<br />
This is the only ape of the Indian subcontinent and inhabits the rain <strong>for</strong>est of North-East India.<br />
If is arboreal and often lives in tall tree branches and is omnivore. It is capable of precise long<br />
leaps.<br />
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