Technical Description:
• CON/SPAN
® B-Series Bridge System
• Span: 36'
• Rise: 12’-2”
• Length: 44'
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In November 2021, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California finished constructing a four-acre Rhino Savanna habitat. Located just inside the zoo’s main entrance, the state-of-the-art, multi-species habitat houses two black rhinos, female Nia and male Jaali, as well as a dozen other African wildlife species such as antelope, mongoose, naked mole-rats and a variety of birds. Mimicking the look of an African safari, the habitat includes open grasslands, rocky terraces, a mud wallow and a watering hole.
A 36' x 12'-2" CON/SPAN® B-Series Bridge System, 44' in length, was utilized to create a unique habitat for the rhinos. The rhinos and other species living in the habitat cross over the structure in order to move to a different area while a viewing area for visitors is located inside the structure. Additionally, the structure's headwalls were designed uniquely in order to accommodate the impact of a rhino. The specific load numbers were provided by biologists and project structural engineers. Exterior aesthetic features were accommodated via a cast in place façade in order to create the look of a natural landscape.
The installation of the structure was straight forward but the delivery of the units to the site was not. The parking lot was the only route available for the delivery trucks, but the Zoo was unable to close it. Contech Engineered Solutions, the Zoo, and Sunquest General Engineering, the project's contractor, worked together to create a plan requiring most of the delivery trucks to arrive the night before installation. The next morning, installation began as early as allowed by the city and about half of the installation was completed before the parking lot opened. The remainder of the trucks arrived one at a time and were able to traverse the parking lot with little inconvenience to the visitors.
"The late evening truck deliveries made by Contech made all the difference in this job," stated Ron Bender with Sunquest. "We have worked with Contech on about a dozen of these bridges, and they have always done what they said they would. That is much appreciated."
With only 5,600 black rhinos remaining in Africa and listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the zoo wanted to educate visitors about the rhino's plight and the important conservation efforts underway to save the species. The primary threat to their survival is human poaching for their horns, which are used as unproven medicinal cures or as symbols of wealth. Without horns, a rhino is unable to defend its young, stand its ground against predators, forage for water and/or participate in behavioral functions.
“As a leader in desert conservation efforts, The Living Desert supports numerous projects to help build black rhino populations in Southern Africa,” noted Dr. James Danoff-Burg, Director of Conservation for the zoo. “We actively partner with organizations to support innovative anti-poaching efforts, engaging community education and empowerment programs, and combatting illegal wildlife trafficking across both Africa and here at home.”
The $17-million project was funded by the zoo's capital programs and generous donations from the local community.
“This expansion means so much to so many,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “This new habitat reflects the successful collaboration of countless entities, including our donors, staff, board members, the Association of Zoo and Aquariums, contractors, and many others. This opening also signifies a deep commitment to The Living Desert’s conservation initiatives to protect black rhinos in their native range."
Click here to watch a video of the CON/SPAN being installed.
Technical Description:
• CON/SPAN
® B-Series Bridge System
• Span: 36'
• Rise: 12’-2”
• Length: 44'
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