Jul 2005 - Nov 2005
Project Zoo

Royal Melbourne Zoo

In 2005 I worked in collaboration with the Melbourne Zoo, as part of the development of their new Orang-utan enclosure, designing a series of behavioural-enrichment puzzles to challenge and stimulate the Orang-utans physically and mentally. The extreme strength (10 times that of an adult male human) and intelligence of the Orang-utans were the key constraints of the project, requiring the design to withstand 10 to 20 years of abuse from the Orang-utans while at the same time being adaptable enough to ensure they wouldn’t get bored of it over time. The final design took the form of a Puzzle Feeding Wall. Constructed from clear polycarbonate to allow visibility from both sides, the puzzle reflects the way Orang-utans would shape sticks in the wild to extract ants from anthills. The Puzzle Wall encourages them to mirror this behaviour as they manoeuvre their food through a series of mazes and puzzles to the opening at the end. The modular design allows the individual sections to be continually rearranged and replaced to create endless new challenges for the Orang-utans. The zoo staff were so impressed by the designs that they had four Puzzle Walls commissioned and built at the new Orang-utan enclosure (two for the Orang-utans and two for the visitors). The Puzzle Walls can be viewed and enjoyed at the Melbourne Zoo