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Environmental Husbandry Manual Click here for CONTENTS Page No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author - For contact details see about the author |
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Individual Methods for
Enclosure Design
Large Penguin Pool
The methods outlined in this section relate to features of enclosure construction and layout which may be used to enhance the living conditions of animals, including the use of shelter areas, vegetation, viewing platforms and climbing structures.
Large Penguin Pool |
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| Method | Dimensions 100 feet long by 10-20 feet wide, up to 14 feet deep. Pool contains 500,000 gallons of slightly saline water. The water is kept clean and moving by a highly effective filtration system. | |
| Species | Penguins. | |
| Purpose | Provide natural habitat for swimming birds, large enough for exercise and exhibition of behaviours such as shoal swimming, porpoising, and diving. | |
| Pro | The depth of water has encouraged King Penguins to swim. This was not seen in the smaller pool previously available. | |
| Con | Algae must be removed from pool walls and pebbles on the bottom by scuba divers every two weeks during the summer. | |
| Improvements | -- | |
| Comments | The filtration system is highly efficient, such that the pool is never drained, and no chemicals are needed for cleaning, although cannot prevent algal growth attached to solid surfaces. | |
| Frequency of Use | Constant. | |
| Ratings | Usefulness | 10 |
| Convenience | 9 | |
| Value For Money | 10 | |
| Range of Users | 10 | |
| Contributed By | Bird Section | |