Caiman and cenote caves arrive in Stratford
Not what Stratford upon Avon is famously known for but ATL has completed works on a stunning new exhibit seeing caiman and cenote caves arrive in Stratford
The Stratford Butterfly Park has been open since 1985 and houses the largest free flying collection of tropical butterfly’s in the UK. Since opening its doors this popular visitor attraction has welcomed over 4 million guests. An awesome array of butterfly’s can be seen free flying around rainforest ponds together with colourful birds alongside some satellite arachnid and reptile displays. It was Stratford Butterfly Parks long held dream to expand their tropical rain forest realm zone to include crocodiles. Ambitious plans and visuals were conceived to create a bespoke crocodile exhibit with the emphasis on it needing to look like a ‘cenote’ cave. Quite a vision when viewing the site for the first time!
ATL’s first look at site!
ATL like big challenges and were pleased to be immediately appointed to help deliver the vision of bringing caiman and cenote caves to the site. The client team contractors provided all of the construction and structural steel work elements. Once ready the ATL team set about providing the GRP waterproofing to the entire enclosure.
GRP being applied to the caimen enclosure in Stratford Butterfly Park
At this stage we installed a cascading composite waterfall which was installed into the roof over the cenote to provide a brilliant backdrop feature and water movement into the exhibit.
GRP waterproof lining works complete
Part of our work scope was to install a dedicated LSS system to maintain the water quality of the pool and the cascade.
Harry setting up the croc pool LSS at Stratford Butterfly Park
Viewing into the enclosure is provided through a heat soak toughened and laminated glass window together with a head in dome providing an amazing viewing opportunity over the basking area. As with lots of operating attractions the only practical installation route requires our teams using ingenuity to overcome the challenge.
ATL negotiate another tricky access route for a glass viewing panel
Glass viewing panel being installed
Finally ATL worked closely with zoo exhibit theming specialists Koda Creative to deliver the cenote cave habitat. ATL and Koda’s teams have previously collaborated closely on lots of high profile projects and delivering this one to the highest quality was no exception.
Cenote cave and roof cascade in progress
So working with all of the partners we really did bring caimen and cenote caves to Stratford. The finished result is amazing and the positive feed back we are all receiving is reassuring.
The caimen settling into the new home
Enjoying the surroundings
And not only the caimen
For more insight into this lovely project please take a look at the following
