Securing snow leopard offspring with X-TEND species protection (copy 1)

26. Oct / 2021

Wilhelma in Stuttgart is a unique combination of zoo and botany, integrated into a historic castle complex. On about 28 hectares live about 11,000 animals in over 1,200 species from all over the world. It is the second most species-rich zoo and the only zoological-botanical garden in Germany. In March 2018, two snow leopards moved into the former polar bear enclosure. The entire area on the slope was expanded during a year and a half of construction. The snow leopards' new home covers 730 square meters. In April 2021, the second offspring of the two big cats came into the world - and at once triplets.

Offspring of great importance

It is estimated that there are only 4000 snow leopards left in the world. Wilhelma is very committed to species conservation and, together with the Friends, invests a lot of money and dedication in the breeding of endangered species. Zoo enclosures place high demands on the architecture and on the products selected. Zoo enclosures from Carl Stahl Architektur guarantee a high degree of safety and stability as well as species-appropriate housing for the animals and an unrestricted view. Predators are fascinating and dangerous animals at the same time. Therefore, when building predator enclosures, safety is a top priority in addition to a design that is as species-appropriate as possible. To do justice to the animals' characteristics, spacious and varied enclosures must be designed with sufficient retreat options.

Zoo enclosure with X-TEND by Carl Stahl Architecture

Our X-TEND stainless steel cable mesh blends in with the natural environment. The pre-tensioned X-TEND stainless steel cable nets allow for large spans, providing generous movement and open space for the animals. The radius of action is extended into the third dimension and allows climbing directly under the rope net roof. The transparent and filigree structure of the stainless steel cable net allows visitors almost barrier-free views into and out of the animals' habitat, which is modeled on nature. In this way, zoo enclosures made of post-tensioned X-TEND stainless steel cable nets promote the natural behavior of animals by extending their radius of action into the third dimension.

More zoo enclosures with X-TEND

Wuppertal Zoo - Macaw Aviary
Karlsruhe Zoo - snowy owl aviary
Zoom Gelsenkirchen, Asia Hall - Orangutan enclosure
Zoo Hoyerswerda - Leopard enclosure
Loro Parque Tennerifa - Lori parrots