Designing for Safety at Zoos: Protecting Animals, Guests, and Keepers
PGAV Rendering of Predator Passage at Phoenix Zoo.
Seeing animals up close—watching them play, interact, or simply rest—can spark a powerful emotional connection in guests, inspiring a desire to protect and care for them. This connection is at the heart of the zoo experience. But we need to foster these moments while keeping visitors, animals, and the keepers safe. For Rosey Masek, PGAV’s Director of Animal Wellbeing and Habitat Design, this challenge drives every design decision. Collaboration between designers and zoo staff ensures that each space meets the highest safety standards without sacrificing the awe and wonder that bring people closer to wildlife.
Predator Passage at Phoenix Zoo.
At the Phoenix Zoo, Predator Passage is home to some of the most captivating—and powerful—animals: African lions, hyenas, and Amur leopards. Creating a safe yet engaging space for these animals presents unique challenges. It’s a careful balance of safety, aesthetics, and guest experience. Layered safety measures, like curved guardrails and strategic fencing, allow guests to get up close while keeping everyone protected. "For Predator Passage, we worked closely with zookeepers to ensure features like the elevated rock provided a safe environment with spectacular views," Masek shares. Designing with a lion’s natural behaviors in mind—such as their reach and jumping distance—was essential in creating a beautiful but secure habitat. Adjustments to the original fencing layout, detailed in the construction set, kept contractors aware of critical safety areas.
What would make you feel safe? "Each zoo has unique safety protocols," explains Rosey Masek, PGAV’s Director of Animal Wellbeing and Habitat Design. "We work closely with staff to understand these needs, from specific procedures like the ‘two-key, two-lock’ system to details like door visibility and proximity to light switches that allow keepers to illuminate an area." Every feature—such as door swings that shut quickly in emergencies or gap dimensions based on an animal’s paw size—requires careful planning and precise documentation to ensure contractors execute these safety measures.
Predator Passage at Phoenix Zoo.
Beyond safety, creating comfortable, enriching habitats for the animals in holding areas is also a priority. Masek recommends spacious areas that exceed standard room sizes, allowing for flexible, connected spaces that accommodate different species' needs. Natural elements like substrate, sunlight, and breezes help transform these spaces into sensory-rich environments that mimic the outdoors.
While zoo design has unique challenges, the principles behind zoo design also apply to other attractions, like roller coasters, where clear paths, visibility, and protective barriers enhance safety. Whether for animals or guests, thoughtful design keeps everyone safe while inviting deeper connections and unforgettable experiences.
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