Construction noise, disrupted routines, and temporary enclosures during zoo renovations can seriously impact animal welfare if not carefully managed.
Renovation projects present acute welfare challenges for zoo animals. Sudden noise, vibration, unfamiliar workers, and cramped temporary housing can trigger fear, aggression, and chronic stress. Animals with long memories and strong habitat associations — elephants, great apes, large felids — are particularly vulnerable. Proactive welfare planning, including phased construction, sound barriers, and keeper continuity, significantly reduces these risks.