New Rockwork Construction at Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo has recently opened their newly renovated Snow Leopard habitat. Located in the Cat Canyon area, the Snow Leopard habitat is just one exhibit in the zoo’s “More Home to Roam” multi-year expansion campaign.

Creating a new home for Snow Leopards Renji and Nubo required modifications to the existing artificial rockwork. It also required expanding the number of faux rock formations for the pair to explore. These artificial rock features included boulders to cover existing poles, hillside outcroppings for snow leopard traversal, and low rock formations that provide resting spots for the leopards. Two cave dens were also constructed with flat, elevated tops to encourage perching and leaping. One cave was built into existing rockwork, with the far side cave being built into the exhibit hillside.

A new artificial tree was added to the center of the habitat with two main branches for the snow leopards to climb. One of these branches extend over a new water feature. The base of the tree is bolstered by two large rockwork formations. The new shotcrete stream water feature is fed by a 4’ tall waterfall with a maximum depth of  12” deep. It extends from the back of the habitat to the guest viewing area.

This new Snow Leopard zoo exhibit marks another great collaboration with the Cincinnati Zoo, Pepper Construction, and COST of Wisconsin, Inc. This partnership has garnered various zoo expansion projects, including Gorilla World, Manatee Springs, and the Reptile House. COST’s scope included 1/4″ scale model, shop drawings, excavation, rockwork, simulated stream, waterfalls, and the center faux tree feature.

Please visit COST’s video page to see Renji and Nubo in their new home.