African Forest Exhibit
The Jacksonville Zoo's newest and largest expansion, the African Forest Exhibit.
Introduction.
The Central Feature of the new exhibit is a 47’ tall Kapok Tree with a 45’ diameter contemporarily designed canopy shade structure. The trees’ canopy provides structure for a special exhibit enclosure, allowing Bonobo or Gorilla species to be displayed in a more intimate setting for Zoo Patrons to experience the primates.
What we did.
The Nassal Company completed the fabrication and installation of over 6,000 sf of rockwork and mud bank themed veneer within the Gorilla exhibit yard, created a brand-new Bonobo exhibit, and design-built their new iconic Kapok Tree as the centerpiece of the new exhibit.
How we did it.
For the Gorilla and Bonobo exhibits, Nassal fabricated a rockwork waterfall and pool structure within the exhibit and enhanced the exhibit landscape through the incorporation of over 2,000 sf of rockwork outcrops and 700 sf of eroded mud bank slopes. 7 artificial Banyan Trees and soil themed wall veneer was also created within the new viewing room. The centerpiece of the new exhibit is the 47’ Iconic Kapok Tree, allowing the guests to get closer to the gorillas and bonobos then ever before.
