HUSBANDRY PORTFOLIO FOR THE CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS)
Enclosure Design
Outdoor enclosure and visitor safety
Enclosures must be designed to prevent escape, be suitable for the animal’s behavioural and physiological requirements as well as facilitating the tasks of the keeper and veterinarians safely (Animal Welfare Act, 2006: AZA, 2016: Zoo Licensing Act, 1981: SSSMZP, 2012). The perimeter of the enclosure will be made of galvanized, welded steel mesh which is rust resistant and in comparison to chain linked mesh, it will have less give if the cheetah were to jump against it according to the Australian husbandry manual for cheetahs, The wire should have sufficient strength. The fence will be 10 feet high vertically and will have a 3 feet inward angled overhang (45° angle) to prevent the animal jumping over. The fence will be supported with 6 inch diameter steel pipes as the SSSMZP states that supporting posts are required to sufficiently secure the fence. The fence will also be at least 6 inches below ground level to provide more stability.
Between the perimeter fence and the public, there will be a 2-meter gap with another 1 meter metal fence, keeping the public at a safe distance from the mesh fence. This 2-meter gap should be large enough to prevent any injury from an animal, as it is further than arm length from the perimeter fence of the enclosure. The secondary (1 meter) metal fence will also have clear signage instructing visitors not to climb over or reach over this fence for personal safety and the presence of a dangerous animal (As seen below);
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The viewing glass at one end of the enclosure will be made of 25mm ballistic glass with supporting framework. This is to prevent the animal escaping and to give the public a good view of the animal. The glass must have clear markings on it to make obvious to the public and animal that there is a barrier present (HSE, 1999: HSE, 2012).
Elevated areas such as mounds and wooden frames are beneficial for the cheetah’s species-specific behavioural requirements as they are seen as vantage points, However, prey species in other exhibits must not be visible as this could cause the animal stress and possibly create behaviours that are detrimental to the safety of the keepers, public and the cheetah itself. The elevated wooden frame is also useful as a shelter for the animals from weather and the public view.
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Inside the enclosure, if there are trees they must be sufficiently guarded to prevent climbing as cheetahs have non-retractable claws and therefore they may injure or entrap themselves (HSE, 2012).
Click below for Indoor enclosure and Keepers area
