At the Zoo

Licensed Mechanical Engineers Design Zoo Habitats

Licensed Mechanical Engineers with Innovative Ideas

Licensed Mechanical Engineers design habitats for Zoo Animals (see: Licensed Mechanical Engineers) accommodating all animals large and small.  Zoo care is a booming industry since the past decade.   Mechanical Engineers with innovative ideas can create sanctuaries for wildlife conservation.  Architects design the Facility Aesthetics of the Zoo.  Engineers keep the animals and public safe, and design technical aspects of the zoo enclosures. 

Licensed Mechanical Engineers build habitats for animals using the most updated technical information available. Engineers ensure that the animal is content and cannot escape from its new habitat. Guests have a viewing area without encroaching the animals’ personal space.  Mechanical Engineers need information such as how high a Tiger (Fig. 1) jumps, how much they weigh, and using this information calculations can be made using Computer Aided Design (CAD). 

Fig. 1 Tigers in Zoo Enclosure 

Mechanical Engineers Calculate Safe Living Conditions

A Mechanical Engineer develops and implements procedures for water quality monitoring, systems operations, and proper documentation of procedures for each habitat.  An Elephants’ (Fig. 2) habitat needs areas that can withstand great amounts of weight.  Giraffes (Fig.3) need different heights for feed-baskets.  California Condors need an aviary that can support their wing span.  Polar bears need cold water and deep pools, requiring significant Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.  Water tanks must be designed properly to meet the size and fluid flow mechanics required by sharks. 

Specialized Life Support Mechanical Engineers

Animal Life Support Engineers are usually multi-faceted Mechanical Engineers (see: Mechanical Engineering Consulting ) who keep up with changing codes in the Zoo industry. The work is similar to designing building systems, but equipment used in a zoo is unusual and highly specialized.   Living quarters design, ventilation systems, methods of feeding,  safe accessibility to animals, and enclosure cleaning equipment, are all aspects of Mechanical Engineering.  Mechanical Engineers are also responsible for the design of specialized transportation vehicles to safely move animals to other areas of the zoo, the Animal Hospital, or relocation to other zoos. A Licensed Mechanical Engineer can help calculate loading docks, and size of lifts to move the zoos beloved creatures safely and comfortably. 

A Licensed Mechanical Engineer can play the most important role of an animal’s life by combining technology, calculations, and a passion for keeping habitats safe and comfortable.  “Life Should Be a Dream” for Animals at the zoo. 


Fig 2 Elephant Enclosure

Fig. 3 Giraffe Enclosure