ZooMontana Wolverine Exhibit

PROJECT DETAILS

SERVICE/STUDIO:
Landscape + Placemaking, Placemaking Studio

LOCATION:
Billings, MT

PROJECT MANAGER:
Michael Sanderson, PE, PTOE, LEED AP

A NEW HOME IN BILLINGS, MONTANA FOR TWO EUROPEAN WOLVERINES

ZooMontana was chosen to receive a pair of mating wolverines, one from Sweden and one from Finland; only six zoos in the entire country were selected for this auspicious honor. Ahmari and Sid were brought to the zoo in the hope that they would breed, allowing researchers a place to study the elusive species. Opening in the summer of 2017, this exhibit designed by Sanderson Stewart, required significant research and attention due to the particular requirements of the wolverine and the non profit zoo.

Sanderson Stewart surveyed, developed, and designed the entire layout for this exhibit as a donation to ZooMontana. The site had very specific challenges including extreme topography, and was situated without utility connections. Keeping costs low was of paramount concern; the zoo utilized volunteers during construction to keep the costs in check requiring Sanderson Stewart to design an easily implementable and maintainable project. The finished result is a beautiful new enclosure for the wolverines, and a new attraction for the many adoring fans of ZooMontana.

SANDERSON STEWART DONATED THE DESIGN FOR THIS CORNERSTONE EXHIBIT FOR ZOOMONTANA

“Wolverines like to climb, hence the plastic-wrapped trees. And they like to dig. Ewelt said the habitat’s fencing extends five feet underground. “Despite their small size, they’re fierce animals.”

Jeff Ewelt

Director, ZooMontana