Zauner Construction can now add a tiger enclosure to their portfolio.
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The South Coast office of the construction company has recently completed Taronga Zoo’s $12m Sumatran Tiger Trek experience.
After 18 months of planning and construction, the feature includes a Sumatran Hut and village buildings, along with themed landscapes.
South Coast Manager Matthew Green said staff, including three Ulladulla residents, worked hard to complete the project.
“Working in the heart of a 365 days a year operational facility definitely has it challenges and we’re really proud of our guys,” he said.
Mr Green said extra staff and some very early morning and evening concrete pours helped minimise the impact on the zoo’s operations.
An open day saw all staff, subcontractors and their families treated to a barbeque and tour of the facility before it opened to the public.
“We’re only as good as our subcontractors so it was nice to pay them back a bit and also thank all our South Coast staff,” Mr Green said.
“It was a long project away from home which can impact on their families so it was good to show them how much we appreciate it.
“Local skills are certainly sought after.”
The Tiger Trek experience starts with visitors boarding a mock flight to Sumatra in a replica plane, and then disembarking into an Indonesian village that has been recreated to give the experience a feeling of authenticity.
The Indonesian-themed experience provides an opportunity for visitors to get up-close to the critically endangered Sumatran Tigers, learning how simple shopping choices can assist in preserving precious natural habitat.
The centerpiece of the trek is a $2m stainless net that covers two of the four enclosures and is suspended through a large heritage Ficus tree.
It features frameless glass viewing panels and a specially modified Jeep which the tigers can climb with visitors inside, allows visitors to see them up close and personal.