Abingdon and Witney College

A large themed meerkat enclosure and a small reptile room

Zoo Fab recently partnered with Abingdon & Witney College to upgrade their animal management facilities, delivering a comprehensive redevelopment of the meerkat enclosure alongside improvements to their reptile room. The aim was to enhance animal welfare, create more engaging learning environments for students, and bring the exhibits closer in line with modern zoo-industry standards.

The existing meerkat enclosure provided limited space and minimal opportunities for natural behaviours such as climbing and sentry duty. To address this, we significantly expanded the outdoor area, removing part of the original rendered wall to open the exhibit and triple the available living space. Rubble from the demolition was repurposed to create a sculpted artificial termite mound complete with internal pipe networks to encourage exploration and species-typical activity.

The enclosure has been fully re-themed with a Sub-Saharan African aesthetic, achieved through creative resurfacing, a fresh paint scheme, and new rockwork designed in warm Kalahari-inspired tones. We upgraded the original mesh double-door system with new timber framing to give the space a cleaner, more cohesive appearance while still providing clear visibility into the catch-up area. The existing indoor den was retained, but its entrance was subtly screened using custom-built crates to improve the visual flow of the exhibit.

To support year-round comfort, the animals now benefit from new infrared bar heaters, fresh substrate, and additional planting. We also replaced a deteriorated window frame with a custom concrete surround designed to resemble traditional African timber construction—adding both durability and character to the viewing area.

As an added feature, we produced bespoke interpretive signage for the enclosure, including species information and conservation messaging. This marks the first of many signage solutions we’re now offering as part of our projects.

Overall, the redevelopment has transformed the enclosure into a vibrant, behaviourally rich habitat that serves as a striking focal point for visitors and an enhanced learning resource for students—demonstrating what can be achieved at smaller collections with thoughtful design and creative problem-solving.

A small outdoor enclosure made of wood and glass panels with a stone wall behind. It is next to a white brick wall with electrical outlets and a window, and black mailboxes are on the left.
Interior view of a room with a wooden and glass enclosure, a window showing an outdoor green area, and electrical outlets along the wall.
3D model of a small outdoor wooden cabin with a green roof and a stone-walled patio area.
Construction site with partially built concrete and wire-frame structures, some with dried concrete and others with mesh, in an outdoor setting with wooden and metal sheds in the background.
An outdoor enclosure with sandy ground, a large sandy rock with protruding roots, some wooden logs, desert plants, and a small shelter with a corrugated metal roof, against a cloudy sky backdrop.
Two people working on an outdoor project inside a concrete enclosure with dirt, which contains a large log or root. One person stands in a small building or shed and working with tools, while the other person, wearing a cap, is standing outside the enclosure holding a container and observing. The sky is cloudy.
Construction site showing a pile of rocks and bricks, a partially collapsed wooden shed, and a ladder inside the damaged building under cloudy skies.
Artificial rock formation in a backyard with animal enclosures and a gravel pathway under a cloudy sky.
A meerkat stands on a rocky ledge in a zoo enclosure with large rocks, dry branches, and some plants, surrounded by a fencing background.
A zoo enclosure with large rocks, driftwood, and sandy ground, under a cloudy sky.
A garden construction site with large rocks, a wheelbarrow, a small table with a bucket, and a rocky ground under a partly cloudy sky.
A dry, rocky enclosure with sandy ground and sparse desert plants, surrounded by large rocks and wooden logs, with a wooden shed and fencing in the background under a cloudy sky.