A Special Installation at Banham Zoo: Supporting Snow Leopard Conservation Through Metalwork

Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of visiting Banham Zoo in Suffolk to carry out a very special metalwork installation - one that supports not just safety and structure, but conservation and care for some of the world’s most endangered big cats.

The project involved fabricating and installing a bespoke metal gate and specialist mesh within the snow leopard enclosure, designed specifically to create a safe space for the female snow leopard, Aurora, should she become pregnant in the future. The new metalwork allows keepers to separate Aurora from the male, Shen, giving her a calm and private space to birth and rear her cubs when the time comes.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day at the zoo and we had the warmest of welcomes from the wonderfully friendly team of keepers, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work they do every day.

Our highlights? Watching feeding time with the penguins - they are adorable! Followed by a truly heart-warming moment with the snow leopards themselves. Aurora and Shen were magnificent, moving with quiet grace and deep curiosity as we worked nearby. At one point, we were lucky enough to hear them ‘chuffing’ to each other - a soft noise snow leopards make.

While we’re still waiting on the final photography of the completed installation, we captured the enclosure in progress, as well as some incredible shots of the leopards themselves.

We’re so proud to have been asked to be a part of this project and help support the future care and conservation of these incredible animals. A huge thank you to the team at Banham Zoo for having us — we can’t wait to return.