SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK FLYING FOX EXHIBIT

The Flying Fox Exhibit is a refurbished building located at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park which houses the Rodrigues Fruit Bat native to Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean. The exhibit helps with the preservation of these critically endangered bats by combining education and care in an immersive and experiential environment.

Attention was given to matching the building design with the local vernacular of the park since the project expanded what was an old photography shop. The new building includes a glass viewing area, animal holding space with a keeper’s office, with the surrounding eucalyptus groves as a stunning backdrop to the glass enclosed viewing area. The exhibit encompasses various interpretive elements including sculptures, a variety of “bat houses”, and a series of educational displays illustrating the bats’ significance to their ecosystem. The multifunctional design was cost-effective, contextual, and educational.

Special care was taken to ensure proper mechanical ventilation, heating, and cooling since the bats are sensitive to light, temperature, and humidity.