Diergaarde Blijdorp – Ibis aviary

Name of Zoo: Diergaarde Blijdorp
Name of respondent: Harald Schmidt
E-mail address of respondent: h.schmidt@rotterdamzoo.nl

Name of Exhibit: ibis aviary

Opening Date/Year: 29-06-05-

Height in m: 6
Area in m2: 200
Volume in m3: 1200

Shape sides: rectangular

Shape of top: flat

Frame
1) placement main support structures: inside (e.g. tent-like)
2) materials main support: untreated wooden poles
3) special supports/protection for:
(a) interface net/mesh and main support: None
(b) protection from main supports rotting in ground: n.a.
4) secondary supporting structures: cables
5) lowering or removal of top when snow or severe winds expected possible: No
6) constructor: External company

Material sides
1) solid (rock, brick wood etc): 1
2) glass: 0
3) piano wire: 0
4) netting/mesh: 3
a) material: galvanized wire (galvanized before welding)
b) name manufacturer: N.A.
c) supplier: N.A.
d) product name: N.A.
e) opening size: 2×2
f) diameter: 2.8
g) color: black
h) configuration: knotted
i) how is netting/meshing attached to aviary structure?
j) visibility through net/mesh: unsatisfactory
k) water resistance: unsatisfactory
l) UV resistance: unsatisfactory

  Material top
1) Same as sides: yes

Walk through / walk in: yes  , please specify number of sides for visitor viewing: rails
Barriers between public and birds: rails
Other special features to enhance viewing possibilities: None

Service:

i. double doors with area between: no
ii. through attached building: yes
iii: please describe how you bring in large enclosure furnishings that are too large to be brought through the doors: N.A.

Visitor: single door plus curtain
Curtains: flexible plastic strands 

% surface area water (versus land): 40
Frequency of drainage and cleaning: N.A.
Type of water: N.A.
Filtration system: N.A.
Depth in cm:

i. minimum: N.A.
ii. maximum: N.A.
iii. % surface area < 20 cm: N.A.

Sand:  10 % area
Grass: 40 % area
Dirt: 0?
Rocks: 0?
Visitor path: 10 % area
Other: ?

Grass/other herbacious plants < 20 cm high cover: 40 % area
Herbacious plants/shrubs 20 cm- 1m high cover: 10 % area
Herbacious plants/shrubs/trees 1 m-3 m high cover: 10 % area
Number of coniferous trees > 3 m high: 0
Number of deciduous trees > 3 m high: 2
Are there any plants you would recommend for aviaries?:  N.A.
Are there any plants that have been problematic in this aviary?: N.A.

Electric fence inside: no
Electric fence outside: no
Different type meshing along bottom: no
Plastic along perimeter: no
Concrete under ground: no
Other (specify): N.A.

Supplemental lighting outside: no

Introduction and/or catching area present: no

Attached to aviary: yes
Dimensions:

i. length: 4
ii. width: 6
iii. Height: 4

Average number of nights used per year: N.A.
Average number of days used per year: N.A.
Direct access to main outside enclosure: yes
Direct access to alternative outdoor area: no
Substrates (specify): concrete
Usable water area present for bathing: yes
Possibility to subdivide area if need to: no
Keeper access area not shared by birds: yes
Natural sunlight received: yes
Number of hours of artifical light:
Heating supplied: N.A.
Please describe ventilation system: N.A.
Visitor viewing: yes

Problems with:
Indigenous bird species entering enclosure: no
Predation in enclosures: N.A.
Aviary withstanding winds experienced: N.A.
Aviary withstanding snow experienced: N.A.
Excessive mortality and or accidents with one or more species: N.A.
Other health issues, e.g. foot lesions: N.A.
Frequent replacement or repair of materials:  N.A.
Husbandry issues e.g. cleaning, heating, moving birds: N.A.

Visitor: N.A.
Keeper: N.A.

Contact person: Steven van den Heuvel
Data submitted: 16-02-12