Giraffes are representative animals in zoos and are also one of the most beloved ones by people. So, how should we select the appropriate stainless steel wire mesh for them in the zoo? Giraffes’ necks are very long and their heights are high. Giraffes have unique shapes and living habits, and stainless steel wire mesh that take into account safety, transparency, and durability are needed to enclose them. If the selection is inappropriate, it may cause serious consequences – records show that giraffes have suffered fatal injuries due to inappropriate protective nets. So, how can we choose the appropriate protective nets to avoid the recurrence of such tragedies? What kind of protective nets made of what materials can effectively ensure the safety of giraffes and visitors, while also providing a comfortable living environment for giraffes and a wonderful experience for visitors? Let me introduce the stainless steel mesh.
The development history of the giraffes protection mesh
There are often cases where giraffes get injured or even die due to fences or environmental factors. Although zoos strive to provide a safe environment, due to the special physiological structure of giraffes (with an extremely high center of gravity and a fragile neck), the risk of accidents for them in captivity is higher.
1.Traditional fence
The traditional fences are relatively simple in design and have only a single function, which is to enclose animals and prevent them from escaping. Examples include metal fences and wire nets. However, they can pose safety hazards. For instance, gaps can trap the heads and necks of animals, causing serious injuries or even death. Wire nets can also scratch the animals’ fur. Giraffes are naturally curious and like to stretch their necks to explore their surroundings. The vertical and fixed-sized gaps between traditional metal fences or stone walls have become the main cause of harm to giraffes. Moreover, traditional metal fences and wire nets have high maintenance costs in the long term. Traditional metal materials are prone to corrosion and rust in outdoor environments due to rain and snow, and the park authorities need to invest a lot of funds for maintenance and replacement on a regular basis.
2.Stainless steel wire mesh
The stainless steel wire mesh is a revolutionary technological innovation. It is hand-woven from stainless steel wires. It is widely made by twisting multiple thin wires into a rope and then cross-woven. This design gives the mesh surface extremely strong flexibility and no sharp edges. The naturally formed diamond-shaped mesh holes in the weaving will automatically and naturally close when animals approach, completely eliminating the possibility of gaps trapping the giraffe’s head and neck from a structural perspective.
The advantages of stainless steel wire mesh as the protective mesh for giraffes
1.Material:
Mainly made of stainless steel materials such as 304, 304L, 316 or 316L. These materials possess excellent corrosion resistance, strength and durability.
2.304 and 316 Composition and Corrosion Resistance:
The basic composition of 304 stainless steel is 18% chromium + 8% nickel, without molybdenum. It already has excellent corrosion resistance in ordinary air and freshwater environments and can meet the needs of most outdoor zoo scenarios. However, it is prone to pitting corrosion or crevice corrosion in high chloride ion environments (such as coastal salt spray, coastal rainwater, and swimming pool disinfection water residues). The corrosion resistance duration tested under salt spray conditions is approximately 500 hours.
316 stainless steel is an improved version of 304, with an additional 2% to 3% of molybdenum added and an increased nickel content. Molybdenum can form a denser protective film, significantly enhancing the corrosion resistance to chloride ions. The salt spray test shows a corrosion resistance duration of up to 3,000 hours. It can be used for a long time in coastal and high-humidity, high-salt zoo environments without rusting
3.Process:
This includes material preparation, which involves selecting stainless steel ropes of the appropriate diameter and structure; weaving, which is done by hand and can have various structures such as flat twisting or ring twisting; forming a grid, which is achieved by flattening, pressing, or folding the ropes to make them cross-connect; securing the edges, which is done using metal clips and the like for reinforcement; inspection and treatment, which ensures quality and allows for surface treatments such as polishing and electroplating.
The characteristics of stainless steel wire mesh
1.Lightweight and high strength：
Compared with other materials, this net is lighter in weight, but it can withstand greater tension and pressure.
2.Good corrosion resistance, excellent flexibility, high breaking strength, and sturdy and durable structure.：
It is made of stainless steel, which can be used for a long time in harsh environments without rusting. It can withstand repeated bending and stretching, is resistant to impact and unlikely to break. It maintains stable performance over a long period.
3.Extremely long service life, low maintenance cost, outstanding long-term cost-effectiveness, in line with green development:
The lifespan of regular products is generally over 30 years, far exceeding the 5-10 years lifespan of traditional protective nets. The nano-coating technology achieves self-cleaning effects, and the surface can remain clean after being washed by rainwater. The maintenance cost is 80% lower than that of ordinary protective nets, and after installation, there is basically no need for subsequent repairs.
4.High degree of customization, meeting personalized design requirements：
Combining functionality and aesthetics, with luxurious appearance and high transparency rate of up to 92%, this net surface neither blocks sunlight nor affects the viewing field. It not only ensures safety isolation but also does not obstruct tourists’ viewing experience. At the same time, the material itself has a modern texture and a novel appearance, and can exist as a landscape element. Giraffes can reach a height of 4-6 meters. The stainless steel rope net can be customized to any width and length according to the size of the enclosure. The mesh size is generally 5cm×5cm – 8cm×8cm, which can ensure transparency while preventing the giraffe’s head from protruding and causing accidents. It can also adapt to the special shape requirements such as the arc and irregular shapes of the giraffe enclosure.
Application Cases:
Nowadays, many zoos have replaced the fences with wire mesh, metal fences with stainless steel rope nets. This significantly reduces the chances of animals getting injured, and greatly enhances the tourists’ experience.
Conclusion: Stainless steel wire mesh is highly suitable as a protective net for giraffes.
Hebei Hangyun Import & Export Co., Ltd.https://www.hyzoomesh.com/ As a factory established for nearly 30 years, over the years it has focused on producing stainless steel wire mesh (zoo mesh).HY Zoomesh is dedicated to producing high-quality products that meet international standards. Our products have undergone strict quality inspections. Contact us by e-mail [email protected] today to customize a solution for your zoo!
