Top tips for fencing for zoos and wildlife parks

It goes without saying that it’s important to get animal enclosure fencing right. It’s not a jungle out there, but there are a lot of factors to be taken into consideration, whether you run a zoo or a wildlife park.

The zoo and wildlife park fencing that you choose has to meet a range of criteria relating to your staff, animals and visitors. Fulfilling these requirements takes careful planning.

To help you make the right decisions about your animal enclosure fencing, we’ve put together these top tips for fencing for zoos and wildlife parks.

7 key considerations when choosing zoo and wildlife park fencing

1. Security and safety. Safety and security is the highest priority when it comes to zoo and wildlife park fencing. For your animals, staff and visitors. For example, galvanised chain-link perimeter fencing with chain-link overhang both keeps animals inside their enclosures and stops intruders from getting in.

2. Visibility. Zoos and wildlife parks need to give visitors a good view and make them feel close to them animals, while ensuring that they remain at a safe distance. Achieving this goal requires the right type of fencing. Galvanised chain-link fencing is a popular option.

3. Fencing strength. Animals are animals. This means that at some point they will test your fencing to its limits. Needless to say, your fencing has to be strong enough to withstanding this type of punishment. Reinforced fencing is a standard choice for zoos and wildlife parks.

4. Accessibility. Your fencing system has to incorporate secure access for staff. A two-step entry and exit set-up is a standard feature. If the animals potentially pose a threat to keepers, further specifications may be required, such as a mesh cage or an air-lock gate. The right fencing system will help prevent escapes and keep staff safe from harm.

5. Type of animal. Different animals need different zoo and wildlife park fencing. Lions and tigers require different fencing systems to monkeys and birds, etc. The purpose of the enclosure can also influence your fencing needs. For example, feeding areas may have different requirements than zones dedicated to play. In addition, the height of fencing varies according to animal type.

6. Fencing maintenance. Animal enclosure fencing must be regularly checked and maintained, in particular electric fencing, because these systems are put through their paces on a daily basis. So, it is vital that fencing integrity and performance is examined and assessed on a regular basis.

7. Experience and expertise. The design and installation of zoo and wildlife fencing is a specialist job. Therefore, when it comes to choosing your supplier, it is important that you use a partner that has experience and expertise in animal enclosure fencing.

Animal enclosure fencing is a key part of the modern zoo and wildlife set-up. Make these tips part of your decision-making process and they’ll help make sure you have the right fencing for your animals, staff and visitors.

Want to know more about animal enclosure fencing from Knight Fencing?

Contact us today on 01243 641272, 01579 529298 or [email protected].