On the intelligent side, this same fellow figured out how get to the top of the wall of his exhibit and short out the feed to the electrical fence that surrounded plantings at the top of the exhibit. The 9-gauge stainless steel netting draped over the top of the exhibit keeps him and the others from getting out, but it couldn't save the plants.
In most construction, security measures such as keypad entries and magnetic locking systems are taken to keep people out of buildings. With zoo construction, measures are taken to keep animals in, but are also taken to keep them from harming themselves. Measures were taken in the above stories about Teak for both of these reasons. These are expensive as well as endangered animals. Their safety is of the utmost importance.
 In 1998, we were chosen to perform a design/build project called the African Outpost. Here was our chance to put what we had learned from The Islands project to work on both sides of fence, design and construction. The $3,000,000 project depicted an African theme which features animal exhibits such as Meerkats and Naked Mole Rats. There is a restaurant and an interactive Boma Petting Zoo featuring exotic goats and donkeys. Designed to resemble an African village, the primary buildings were constructed of rough timbers and authentic thatch roofs constructed by native African tribesman.
Through these two major projects, one of the most important things  we were building with the Louisville Zoological Gardens was a relationship. We had now been working with them for five years. Our expertise in taking schematic / theme drawings from the architect and sitting down with them, the owners, the engineers and the subcontractors and flushing out the details to make things work in real life was taking shape.
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