Do you know what whooping cranes are? Hercules helped save these endangered animals!
Do you know what a whooping crane is? There are fewer than nine hundred of them left in existence, so you would be forgiven if you’ve never known about them before. But the National Zoo’s Smithsonian Biological Conservation Institute (SBCI) sought to do something to preserve and protect this endangered species, and Hercules Fence was more than happy to help.
The Purpose of the Project
The SCBI based in Front Royal, Virginia wanted to do something, whatever they could, to help protect these birds. Twelve of them were moved to a new facility that featured multiple enclosures and pens to keep the birds safe. In this safe space, the cranes would be able to repopulate. Hercules Fence worked with our partners at Kee Construction, based in Winchester, Virginia, to complete this project. Five enclosures were put together for the whooping cranes to live in.
How the Enclosures Were Built
Each of the five enclosures is 50’ by 150’ feet and were designed as rectangles. The reason for this was to allow the cranes to move around naturally without going too far. The enclosures were meant to protect the cranes from any natural predators that might try to invade their space. Inside each of the enclosures are three separate pens which are 50’ by 50’. All pens feature double gates facilitating easy access for the handlers to come and check on the health of the whooping cranes. On each gate and pen, there are door hinges used to minimize the gaps that are left in the frames and posts.
The Materials Used
Chain link is a common fence used for residential and commercial purposes. If it can keep your property safe, then it can keep the whooping cranes safe as well. The chain link fence in question for these enclosures are twelve feet high and come equipped with barriers to keep out intruders. Each fence and enclosure is reinforced with steel cables and corrugated plastic. There’s also bracing and insulators for the charged wire that helps to protect the cranes.
Other Features
Ponds and plumbing were also set up to give the cranes fresh water. However, this part of the project was not something that Hercules took part in. However, the whole project cost over $400,000 and took roughly eight weeks to finish.
Take Care of All Your Residential Fence Needs with Help from Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach
Call Hercules Fence of Norfolk and Virginia Beach for your fencing needs. We have decades of experience in the fencing industry and can offer you the best in ornamental steel, chain link, wooden fences and more. Our dedicated teams of fencing professionals are highly trained, skilled, and experienced in providing quality fence installations of any type. We’ll work with you to find a fence that best suits your needs and budget.
Contact Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach at (757) 321-6700, drop in, or contact us on our website to learn more about winter fence construction! You can keep up to date with offers and information from Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
