Zoo Zürich resumes Pantanal aviary construction

Construction of the ‘Pantanal’ aviary at Zoo Zürich has resumed following a months-long hiatus caused by a dispute with the original contractor, Baltensperger AG. The zoo terminated its multi-million franc contract with the Swiss firm after alleging it failed to meet technical, scheduling, and financial requirements. Baltensperger countered by claiming the zoo’s requirements were unfeasible within the agreed budget.

To complete the project, Zoo Zürich has commissioned two international specialists: Stakotra Manufacturing from Slovakia and Cimolai from Italy. Stakotra, known for constructing high-precision industrial structures and roller coasters, will handle the substructure and arch beam assembly. Cimolai, which has worked on large-scale projects such as the Chernobyl reactor shelter, will produce approximately 60 individual arch components.

The first steel elements are currently being delivered to the zoo grounds. The complex structure is designed to support a 1,400-ton mesh. While work has restarted, the zoo has not yet announced a new opening date for the facility.