MAT Filtration Technologies, a manufacturer of high-efficiency water filtration equipment and provider of engineering services, has been appointed to create a new experience at Al Khor Zoo in Qatar.
The firm will design, commission and install the complete ALSS and the acrylic panel of the new Underwater Elephant Experience, which will have the largest underwater viewing panel for an elephant exhibit in the Middle East.
Elephants are aquatic animals, and like the majority of other mammals, they are born swimmers. They will be able to spend the majority of the day at the crystal-clear, non-chlorinated pool thanks to this addition to this new exhibit.
Specialised species environment
Elephants can dive and remain underwater for long periods while breathing from the surface using their trunks. The pool design will make it simple for them to also float and rest, minimising the risk of exhaustion due to their size. The Elephant Enclosure at Al-Khor Park will allow visitors to watch elephants swimming from a viewpoint close to the pool’s bottom.
“Filtering elephant pools is not a daily job for zookeepers,” says a MAT representative. “The size of these animals and their behaviour, concerning the demand of designing non-chlorinated systems, requests engineering considerations that are not described in books.
“MAT has gained technical experience from delivering successfully demanding contraption systems for hippopotamuses, penguins, aquatic birds and walruses, enhancing our understanding of the particularities of each animal’s digestive systems, skin and eye sensitivities, aiming to deliver the most optimum water quality possible.”
Intelligent animal systems
Four mechanical filters, two sterilising systems, and a sizable biological support system make up the facility’s filtration system, which allows the floating nutrients in the pool to be absorbed while also providing steady, clean water for the elephants to swim in and drink. To ensure the free flow of sensory information to MAT’s mechanical systems, the firm’s engineers have taken into account the nature and appearance of elephant faeces.
The zoological aquatic system complies with WAZA and EAZA specifications.
The 450 m3 elephant pool is maintained by two separate filtration systems, including deep suction and an overflow system. These systems are mechanical and biological. Without using chloramines, the entire ALSS of the facility has been developed with the necessary water quality requirements for the wellness of the elephants. A SCADA remote control system can be used to remotely monitor and control automatic valves and sensors that are part of the facility.
Additionally, MAT provided, installed, and waterproofed the 8.5 x 5 m PMMA acrylic panel that had been FEA built to withstand an attack by an elephant. The panel also has UV blockers to be extremely clear and enable visitors to Al Khor Park to enjoy spectacular underwater views of the swimming elephants.
Set to open next year, MAT has also been working on the New Mazatlán Aquarium, which will soon become the largest aquarium in Latin America.
