In the Prague Zoo, the concrete pouring for the new gorilla pavilion has begun

Prague - The concrete pouring for the new gorilla pavilion has begun at the Prague Zoo. Excavation work on the construction pit, retaining walls of the enclosures, and rough terrain modifications has also commenced. Edita Novotná, spokesperson for the company building the pavilion, announced this today via ČTK. The zoo started the construction of the pavilion in early November last year. The construction, estimated to cost nearly 210 million CZK excluding VAT, is expected to be completed within two years. The zoo is managed by the capital city.

Following the aforementioned work, the installation of outdoor and indoor sewage systems and excavations for the foundation slab will take place. "The pouring of the foundation slab, walls, and roof of the pavilion will follow," Novotná stated.

The project includes a building measuring approximately 56 by 56 meters, an enclosure with ponds, a room styled like an African school, and an outdoor observation area. The predominantly single-story building is designed to blend in as much as possible with the surrounding environment. "The outdoor amphitheater with seating steps will allow for comfortable seating, views of the gorillas in the outdoor enclosure, and will also provide a location for educational and social events," Novotná announced.

The enclosure will feature tree imitations made of sprayed concrete constructions, and the interior will have illusionistic paintings. The project also includes the construction of an access footbridge across Pod Hrachovkou street.

The Prague Zoo decided to build the new gorilla pavilion due to experiences from the floods in 2002 and 2013. The current pavilion is located in the lowest part of the zoo, which was flooded during the 2002 floods when a male gorilla died. During the floods in 2013, the zoo relocated them to a flood protection tower and keepers fed them by boat. Currently, there is an eight-member group of gorillas at the Prague Zoo, cared for by six staff members on a rotating basis. Their popularity is evidenced by the fact that people contributed nearly 36 million crowns toward the new pavilion.

The new gorilla pavilion at the Prague Zoo:
Green area	66,700 m²
Built-up area	2,500 m²
Plants	5,931 pcs
Concrete	2,656 m²
Reinforcement	353,389 kg