DURBAN – Racoons at the Mitchell Park Zoo in Durban are basking in the spotlight after their home was recently given an upgrade.
The eight playful and curious, bandit-looking animals used to have a smaller house in which the nocturnal animals rested.
Mitchell Park Zoo curator, Joanne Marais, described raccoons as active adventure climbers, which was why the zoo engaged the services of Timber Trix to create a jungle gym-type home.
The new structure has two box-shaped homes on either side of a tyre bridge, and ledges for the raccoons to climb on. Colourful hanging barrels will be installed next.
Timber Trix spokeswoman, Megan Gaul, said a talented group of people worked together on the project.
“I am a conservationist who has worked on monkey enclosures and private collectors' aviaries. I was thrilled at the prospect of being involved in the project. The raccoons are now visible to visitors from both sides of their enclosure. We took into consideration the raccoons' movements during the building process,” Gaul said.
Mitchell Park Trust member, Tasveer Kassie, said more upgrades were expected in the zoo.
Raccoons originate in the tropical regions of South and Central America.