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Gail Y.
B. Lash, Ph.D.
Nevin
Lash, ASLA
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Selected Publications |
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Project Brief
Kitera Forest Chimpanzee
Reserve Exhibit
North Carolina Zoo,
Asheboro, North Carolina
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Site Plan:
Kitera Forest Chimpanzee
Reserve Exhibit
The
Asheboro, N.C. Courier-Tribune
NEWSFLASH
- May 24, 2001
 The
North Carolina Chimpanzee Exhibit opened in 1982, was a major break-through
in Great Ape Exhibitry in Zoos. With it's tall canopy hardwoods,
exposed bedrock and moat barriers, the exhibit transformed the way we expect
to see Great Apes housed in Zoos.
Over time, other concerns surfaced.
The chimps became more and more aggravated at the visitors. The Visitors
became more and more aggressive to the Chimps. Behavioral problems
resulted in violent reactions and threat displays from both sides of the
exhibit. When analyzed, it was clear that change was needed in the
interface between the visitors and the Chimps.
Ursa was invited to join the
In-house design team at the zoo to solve the problem and create an enriched
environment for both parties. The results are in. The Chimps
have returned to their home to find climbing trees, lush plantings, soft
soils and shady resting places. The visitors have returned to find
the chimps, more at ease, less threatening, more worthy of respect.
The Exhibit has been renovated,
but it is the behaviors that have really changed the most. |
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Photos from the Openning
Season 2001
Entry to the Chimp Reserve
Community Center
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View of Main Viewing Area
at Community Center
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Interpretive Building Porch
Viewing area
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Interior Interpretive Exhibit
Area
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Research Center Exterior
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View from Research Center
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Vistors getting down to
Chimp level for a kiss
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Gail makes friends with
the alpha Male
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View of Renovated interior
holding
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View of overhead transfers
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Credits
The Kitera Forest Chimpanzee
Reserve
was designed by Ursa International
directly with in-house North
Carolina Zoo Chimpanzee Design Team
Architectural Design services
in North Carolina were provided by :
TRP Architects, Greensboro,
NC
Neil Tate, AIA project architect
Photography by:
Nevin Lash
Funding was provided by the
State of North Carolina
and the North Carolina Zoological
Society |
Project Data
open: May 2001
cost: $1.4 million
area: 1 acre
client: North Carolina Zoo
Dr. David Jones, Zoo Director
Lorraine Smith, Curator of
Mammals/Project Lead
Phone: 336-879-7603
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