The Evolution of Design: Prioritizing Animal Wellbeing and Visitor Engagement
PGAV Rendering of Congo Falls at San Antonio Zoo
As zoos and aquariums evolve, so do the spaces animals call home. The AZA's Trends 2033 Report reveals that larger, more natural habitats enhance animal wellbeing and reassure visitors that these animals are thriving. This shift has been unfolding in many zoos and aquariums, and its impact is already visible.
Jonathan Stechschulte, PGAV Landscape and Architectural Designer, taller than a lot of people but shorter than most polar bears.
The bear pits of the '60s have been replaced with more expansive habitats with pools large enough for even a polar bear to jump around. Realistic rock formations and natural plants are more common. Those additions are great, but larger spaces aren’t necessarily enough. Jonathan Stechschulte, PGAV Landscape and Architectural Designer, explains, “Larger and more natural habitats are fantastic, but the future of zoo design is in the dynamic nature of the habitats. If the habitat is larger but is a sensory-sterile environment, it may not meet the behavioral needs of the animal or encourage them to exhibit their natural behavior. We need to take cues from nature because, in the wild, there’s always an element of change in the landscape. The best environment for animals is one the animals can act upon. For example, a natural wood log provides infinitely more enrichment than a concrete log that looks the same but doesn’t change day to day.”
The San Antonio Zoo is embarking on two major projects aimed at increasing animal wellbeing along with enhancing the guest experience. First, they expanded the savanna yard for the giraffes. Now, they’re tackling a $30-million project: Congo Falls, the future home of gorillas with room enough for eight. Congo Falls, set to open in 2025, is a two-acre habitat, allowing the gorillas room to roam. It will also feature a first-of-its-kind 60-foot tower, one of the many enrichment activities planned for the new habitat.
Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo
Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo, says the zoo did not take the decision to invest in Congo Falls lightly. He explains, “We spent time researching what species people expect and want to see at the zoo. Historically, most zoos feature gorillas. The San Antonio Zoo hasn’t had a gorilla habitat since 1993.”
Morrow continues, “There are generations of kids that have never seen a gorilla in real life. We believe empathy is created through connection. Imagine a child being able to say, ‘That gorilla looked me right in the eye.’ We’ve missed having that inspiration point and are thrilled to reintroduce them.”
Morrow says that back in the 90s, the zoo wasn't equipped to best provide for gorillas' physical and emotional needs. Today, he is proud to say that things have changed. “It's taken us 30 years to get to where we can provide a proper habitat. We’re looking at the same strategy when we bring back elephants. We want to be part of breeding and conservation, but only when the habitat can provide for the animal’s wellbeing. Congo Falls allows us to get back into innovating enriching habitats.”
A deep and thorough understanding of species-specific behavior is the best starting point for designing a habitat that puts animal wellbeing at the forefront. Ethograms catalog the behaviors an animal would exhibit in a natural setting and provide a great starting point for a conversation between the client and designer. Stechschulte says, “These conversations need to happen at the beginning of the design process so we can all buy into the shared understanding of a natural range of behavior and how we can best enable the animals to achieve that. It becomes much easier to say these features are non-negotiable and worth the investment for the wellbeing of the individuals in our care. The shared understanding unlocks the potential of what behaviors you’ll see exhibited.”
Stechschulte says, “Many of these features can be low-cost improvements but may require a mind shift from older ways of doing things. If you let grass grow long, you might not see the animal as much, but you’re contributing to the animal's psychological health.” Visitors to Congo Falls may notice the modular enrichment system featuring compartments placed throughout the habitat—some low, some high, and even built into the hillside. Each compartment is designed to fit a 5-gallon bucket, a cost-effective unit that can be used in countless ways: with holes for food or plantings or to freeze food inside. Animal care staff can place them anywhere in the system, creating a dynamic, unpredictable environment. This encourages gorillas to explore, just as they would in the wild, where they spend about 14 hours feeding and foraging.
The public notices when animals seem unhappy. Morrow says, “People who love animals want them to be cared for well. Now more than ever, we must show the public we’re doing a good job. You almost turn the zoo inside out with big viewing windows that allow you to see the inside habitat.”
PGAV Rendering of Congo Falls at San Antonio Zoo
Speaking of what visitors can see, the 60-foot tower is hard to miss. It’s a show-stopping element to the design, but it serves a greater purpose. Stechschulte explains, “Historically, it was thought gorillas weren’t climbers as much as other apes. While that is generally the case, gorillas climb high into trees for fruit. The tower allows a stable climbing service so even a 400-500-pound silverback can climb 50 feet into the air.”
Morrow says, “In the past, we’ve hesitated to use words like love and care, but people want to know that zookeepers love the animals in their care. The San Antonio Zoo’s mission starts with love.”
Stechschulte adds, “In my mind, designing habitats that are enriching for animals also translates into an even better guest experience. Visitors come to the zoo to see real animals. When animals are allowed and encouraged to exhibit a natural range of behaviors, it becomes a much more engaging/enriching experience for both animals and guests. We have these incredible and intelligent sentient, emotional creatures in our care. We should feel obligated to give them the very best range of experiences and care that we can.”
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