Gorilla Glass for Orana!

7 April 2015 MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Gorilla Glass for Orana!

Gorilla proof glass six times thicker than the average Kiwi house window and each pane weighing over 350kg will be installed at Orana Wildlife Park’s Great Ape Centre this week. This specifically engineer designed glass will separate visitors from the apes.

Orana’s $6M Great Ape Centre is the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Park. The development will be home to New Zealand’s first ever Gorilla group. This exciting facility will be a great tourist attraction for Orana Wildlife Park, Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

Orana’s Project Manager, Andrew Burt of Strongline South Ltd, says: “the facility is unique and bespoke in most respects and the glass windows are a great example of this. The glass was designed by a Specialist Glass Engineer in Australia and it was manufactured in Christchurch by Metro Performance Glass. The glass will be mounted into specifically designed steel window frames designed by Christchurch Consultants; Ian Cumberpatch Architects & TM Consultants Ltd.”

Nick James of Metro Performance Glass adds: “We are delighted to be part of such an iconic project; it is not every day we get to glaze a gorilla enclosure so this job is considered special, a real talking point amongst the team! It is also a chance to showcase what we can do - great glass for great clients!

Construction of The Great Ape Centre commenced in July 2014. It is now 85% complete and is due for completion this May. Three gorilla brothers will be transferred from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo mid-year. The Trust is still seeking donations towards this New Zealand first project and any amount people are able to contribute would be welcome.

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