Gibbons at Johannesburg Zoo can play thanks to engineers

Posted on June 17, 2010

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A group of engineering students, enrolled for the compulsory undergraduate course, Community-Based project (JCP) built a jungle gum for the gibbons at the Johannesburg Zoo.

They are Shaylin Bhana, Juane Botha, Wesley Botha, Jeanette de Hoog, Shevon Delport, James Greyvensteyn, Melissa Lind, Sumarie Meintjes and Carmen Stewart.

They wrote: “It’s always nice to see something you have made being used, which was the case after the gibbons were released back into their enclosure.  Previously the gibbons had only a few ropes to swing on, this is not ideal especially for them as they are arboreal (spend most of their time above the ground). Now they can play and swing from pole to pole in what can be called a more natural habitat. The gibbons seemed to enjoy their new upgraded home. On top of it all - the girls in the group had to learn how to mix and lay cement. What we did will go into a lot of use. It provides zoo visitors with a chance to see gibbons in their natural habitat doing what they enjoy most.”

 

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