Jaguar Jungle

The Engineering Behind the Audubon Zoo’s Jaguar Jungle Exhibit

At Batture LLC, we pride ourselves on delivering creative and practical engineering solutions, and our recent work on the Audubon Zoo’s Jaguar Jungle exhibit is a prime example. This project involved a unique blend of civil and structural design, stormwater management, and animal-focused innovations, all aimed at enhancing the experience for visitors and ensuring the safety and comfort of the animals.

Bringing Guests Closer to Nature

The Jaguar Jungle exhibit was designed to bring zoo visitors closer to the Tapir Habitat by adding a new island in the existing lagoon and rerouting the boardwalk to offer better views. We were tasked with creating a strong foundation for this new island, ensuring that the structure would stand the test of time while blending seamlessly into the natural environment. We also designed an overhead monkey trail that will allow spider monkeys to explore above visitors’ heads, making the experience more immersive for guests. 

Overcoming Unique Challenges

Engineering an exhibit like Jaguar Jungle presents challenges we don’t often see in more traditional projects. One of the most interesting challenges was dealing with differential settlement. This was especially important for the new island’s boardwalk and bulkhead. A lot of new fill had to be introduced, which meant we needed to consider how that fill would settle over time. To address this, we worked closely with the Geotechnical Engineer and the CMAR, Broadmoor, to design a solution that would maintain the integrity of the structure even as the soil settled.

We also had to take the exhibit’s live animal residents into account, including designing 43-foot-tall supports for the spider monkeys trail. These supports needed to be stable enough to hold up the trail but also safe for the animals and visitors.

Collaboration and Innovation

One thing that stood out during this project was the level of collaboration we had with the Audubon Zoo staff, particularly the animal care team. From the start, this was a highly collaborative project, with multiple workshops involving zoo leadership, architects, and engineers. The input from zookeepers, who know the animals best, helped guide many of the engineering decisions, such as adding fencing under the boardwalk to prevent animals from wandering into unintended areas.

The use of innovative materials was also key to the project’s success. For example, the interactive boat feature in the exhibit sits on a crib designed by Batture, and we specifically chose aluminum and stainless steel for their corrosion resistance, ensuring longevity in the humid, outdoor environment of the zoo.

Engineering for Sustainability and Safety

Sustainability and safety were top priorities throughout the design process. For instance, while we originally planned to use hot-rolled sheet piles for the island’s bulkhead, we ultimately went with cold-rolled piles due to material availability. This change required some adjustments, but the planting design includes trailing elements to eventually conceal the structural depth, ensuring the bulkhead will blend into the natural environment over time.

To ensure the safety of both animals and visitors, we also made careful design choices, such as avoiding diagonal components in the island bulkhead that could allow animals to climb. The coating on the sheet piles was even reviewed by veterinarians to ensure it would be safe for the animals.

The Result: An Exhibit That Will Delight 

While the Jaguar Jungle exhibit is still being finalized and will officially open to the public in early 2025, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. The engineering challenges pushed us to think creatively and collaborate closely with the zoo and other teams, resulting in a safe, sustainable, and immersive environment for both the animals and the zoo’s guests.

This project not only highlights Batture’s ability to tackle complex engineering problems but also demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively with partners to create something truly special. The Jaguar Jungle exhibit reflects the diverse expertise we bring to every project.

We can’t wait for visitors to experience the Jaguar Jungle in 2025 and are confident it will be a beloved addition to the Audubon Zoo for years to come.