I need help thinking outside the box

I do a lot of fence and cage work for my local zoo.
My latest request is to modify an existing enclosure that will accommodate two 150lb black bears. The modification is to make the walls "climb proof"

I need a slick/smooth surface at least 3 ft wide so a bear can't reach across it and pull up. It will basically be a strip about 10 to 12 ft in the air.

It needs to be scratch/bite proof and weather proof (will not brittle with age). Also, cost effective.

See through or able to paint/camouflage so that it is not an eyesore to the public.

This exhibit is to be a temporary home until the new exhibit is built, so ideally, it could be transferred to the new pen when it is built.

I don't want to say what I am thinking of so I don't taint your ideas.

What are your thoughts, and any connections (dealer)to said product?

Thanks

 

Sorry. You had me right up until you said "taint" ...

 

Polycarbonate? The clear thing is tough. My first thought was stainless.

 

Something in the polycabonate family is how I am thinking, but, which one?

A lot of the plastics will brittle and become opaque with time.
This is where I need help

With metal, I was thinking more aluminum over stainless. And if I go metal, it will need to be paintable (camo able).

 

If you weren't concerned about moving it I'd say a paint on epoxy. Tough as hell and slippery.

 

Teflon plastic sheet (PTFE). Not clear and you can't paint it but maybe they make colored now (last time I looked at buying it it only came in white).

 

Transparent Aluminum. You'll want to talk to a Dr. Marcus "Mark" Nichols at Plexicorp in San Francisco about it. They made some to transport a couple of giant whales in the hull of a Bird of Prey.

-steve

 

NERD!!!!! and Trekkie nerd at that!!!!

 

"Computer................. Hello, Computer?"

 

Clear polycarbonate, but paint the underside camo.

Colin

 

Starboard

 

I have used it on some other smaller animal holdings, mostly as a door.

They think the bears will be able to gouge a hand hold over time in this.

While that is a good thought...
This enclosure is made of 4 different materials.
one section is a siding covered brick wall, they are going to remove the siding and have a slick wall. the epoxy idea may work here, but the initial thought is to cantilever a sheet of ??? here.
Another section is a faux rock wall
Another section is an expanded metal grating
And the final section is a shark mesh netting.

And I have the challenge of making all of the items non climbable
I can do it, I just need the right material.

 

Most polycarbonates will become brittle from UV rays. Do research before you plunk down money. I know of the brands we use at work will deteriorate over time and they're expensive. There may be high end stuff out there that we don't use. I can ask the sales rep in the office if anything is available.

What about Delrin sheets? The PTFE mentioned above may work as well?

 

Lexan?

 

Have you considered sections that roll?
You can't climb a surface that keeps pulling down.
Not sure what to use, though.

 

Whatever you use, camber it out from top to bottom (top closer to containment area than the bottom), on the animal's side. This way, the bears will have to fight their weight more than a 90* wall face.

Can't use electric? We used electric on the rhino exhibit at Zoo New England, in addition to 1.5" thick steel braided rope. The exhibit also sat down a steep bank from the public.

 

Transparent aluminum

A buddy of mine has done some welding on this stuff. Made by a company name ALON......I'm sure it's not cost effective though

http://www.livescience.com/420-military-aluminum-windows-stop-50-caliber-bullet.html

 

Glass? 1/2" thick.

 

Orrr. Hire an ex football player or two to punch them in the nose when they try to climb out! That'll learn them!