Jungle Under Glass

Dr. Lee Simmons, director at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, crea-ted an urban jungle when the Lied Jungle opened April 4 this year. This new exhibit houses one of the world's largest indoor tropical rain forests. The state of the art habitat contains over 2,000 species of plants and 125 species of animals and birds in the re-creation of three rain forests: Asia, Africa and South America.

Visitors experience the jungle on two different levels. An elevated walkway enables visitors to see animals on the islands as well as getting a bird's eye view of the tree canopy. They wander through 60 foot tall bamboo, brave a swinging bridge, slide behind a 50 foot waterfall and explore caves. Visitors then descend to the heart of the jungle by walking along a winding overgrown path, along lily ponds, mangroves, man-made buttress roots and through four tunnels with underwater viewing windows.

Construction of the Lied Jungle started in September 1988. How/Nelson Associates of Omaha was the architect, while Peter Kiewit Sons of Omaha was the general contractor. The eight story building contains over 60,000 square feet of planted exhibit space, 35,000 square feet of behind the scenes management area and 11,000 square feet of education space. The Lied Foundation donated funds for the building which cost $15 million.

Interior of the Jungle

In order to simulate the rain forest environment, man made rocks and tree trunks were fabricated. Two 80 ft. by 12 ft. culverts and twelve 60 foot by 4 to 5 ft. support columns became tropical tree trunks by spraying concrete on a skeleton of rebar and wire mesh. Towering cliffs and dark caves were created from fabricated concrete panels.

The building is topped with translucent Kalwall fiberglass panels which transmit 70 percent of available light. During the summer, shade cloth covers about half of the roof. A computerized HVAC system, which includes two 300 ton chiller units, controls the temperature to maintain 72 to 75 degrees with 75 to 80 percent humidity.

Protecting Plant Species

Plant selection began during the summer of 1990. Several trips to Florida nurseries and even to private gardens enabled zoo staff to acquire unusual specimens. Over 40 semi-truck loads and $250,000 later, the rain forest was filled with mostly specie plants. Specie plants rather than hybrids were selected to help preserve and protect those plants that are now becoming endangered.

The first 40 foot Royal queen palm was planted fall, 1990. Planting co-existed with interior construction work. Initially plants were fertilized and watered by hand. Now 65 percent of the jungle features a Toro irrigation system with 3,200 feet of pipe with 276 pop-up heads and over 6,000 feet of drip tubing.

Visitors marvel at the stunning realism of the Lied Jungle. However, its purpose is not only to thrill visitors, but also to create awareness of the need for conservation. Public con-sciousness of the devastation of the world's rain forests may facilitate a public concern that will help our planet survive. LASN

Plant installation was often a tricky task for zoo keepers and horticulturists. Philodendron selloum is being planted in a wall pocket. Bromeliads, orchids, ferns and vines soften the man-made rock cliffs.

The largest waterfall in the Lied Jungle is found in South America. It drops water 50 feet into a water moat that surrounds an island filled with animals.

Bromeliads are planted everywhere in the Lied Jungle - in rock cliffs, logs and man-made tree trunks.

Plant installation was often a tricky task for zoo keepers and horticulturists. Philodendron selloum is being planted in a wall pocket. Bromeliads, orchids, ferns and vines soften the man-made rock cliffs.

The largest waterfall in the Lied Jungle is found in South America. It drops water 50 feet into a water moat that surrounds an island filled with animals.

Bromeliads are planted everywhere in the Lied Jungle - in rock cliffs, logs and man-made tree trunks.