NatureMaker had completed an installation of two-story outdoor pine trees at the Los Angeles Zoo over a year ago. The trees were originally intended for four Chinese golden monkeys to perch, climb, and swing. However, after years of waiting for the exotic animals, the Zoo director was informed earlier this year that, after a long period of intensive negotiations with the Chinese government, the transfer would not take place. With the Golden Monkey exhibit already completed, The Zoo was then forced to go with Plan B, a mixed-species habitat.
The news was especially disappointing for the Zoo because they took great pains to customize the exhibit to the monkey’s exacting tastes. The exhibit designer, Portico Group, designed the exhibit to evoke their Chinese heritage (a viewing platform with Chinese-style tiling was installed, for example) and commissioned NatureMaker to design special trees with extra springy limbs to encourage the monkeys to climb and jump from tree to tree. NatureMaker’s complete installation included five (5) 20′ – 28′ tall outdoor pine trees with 6′ -15′ long perching limbs. The pine trees were designed and engineered to blend in with the surrounding live evergreen trees.
The new exhibit opens on Thursday, October 8, 2009.
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