Photo by Sue Chin
South America’s Pantanal
HOUSTON ZOO | HOUSTON, TEXAS | USA
A First of Its Kind
Forty two million acres of seasonally-flooded forests, rivers, marshes and grassland stretch across areas of central Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, and are home to South America’s largest concentration of animals. This is the Pantanal. Houston Zoo’s commitment to conservation in this hub of biodiversity inspired the creation of its own “South America’s Pantanal”. This first-of-its-kind project is a 4.2-acre habitat and immersive guest experience with over fifty species of resident animals native to the world’s largest wetland.
Project Features at a Glance
First-of-its kind habitat showcasing the Pantanal
Keystone species from each level of the ecosystem represented in richly developed landscapes, from tiny dart frogs and fish to giant anteaters and jaguars
Close-up and layered underwater views of giant river otters, fish, stingrays, and river turtles; above- and below-water anaconda viewing
A large grassland habitat that is home to capybaras, Baird’s tapirs, giant anteaters, greater rheas, coscoroba swans and southern crested screamer birds - species that are nicely adapted to Houston’s climate
An overhead crossing that provides viewing and vantage points for resident jaguars making their way between outdoor habitats and care quarters
A fish cannon to provide enrichment and tasty treats for active giant river otters
SH|R'S ROLE
Exhibit Design: Project prime; full service design, construction observation, art direction
COLLABORATION WITH
HOUSTON ZOO: Client
Architectural Design: Brave Architecture
AV/IT Design: 4B Technology
Civil Engineering: Walter P. Moore
Life Support System Engineering: TJP Engineering
Lighting Design: Mazzetti + GBA
MEP Engineering: Collaborative Engineering Group
Structural Engineering: MLA Engineering