New perimeter fence under construction at Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo animals will soon be more secure, with the erection of a new perimeter fence around two-thirds of the facility.

A 2.5km section of the 3.6km-long fence is currently being replaced to ensure zoo animals are kept in, while people and domestic animals are kept out.

The total cost of the project is $560,000.

A perimeter fence is a requirement under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act in order to operate a zoo.

Erection of the new fencing is currently nearly complete but the last section involves dismantling the fenced path used to transfer the giraffes and zebras into their display paddock.

During construction work the ostriches and blackbuck and bison herds will remain on display in their usual enclosures.

Display of the zebra and giraffes will be weather dependent, however visitors now have more chance of viewing giraffes in all weather conditions due to the giraffe yard viewing platform, which was funded by the Friends of Hamilton Zoo.

While all the giraffes have to be kept off the grass paddock in wet weather because it gets too slippery, the platform allows visitors to walk down and see the animals in their off-display pens.

Visitors to the zoo may experience some disruptions over the next two weeks while work on the perimeter fence is completed