Worksop firm sticks neck out with giraffe enclosure project

A Worksop firm has played its part in the construction of a new facility which will house giraffes at an award-winning wildlife part.
The first giraffe Palle arrives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, DoncasterThe first giraffe Palle arrives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
The first giraffe Palle arrives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster

Worksop Galvanising, part of Wedge Group Galvanising, was called upon to provide its hot-dip galvanising treatment to 55 tonnes of steel used by North Eastern Plant to create the enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Branton, Doncaster.

Measuring 20m by 30m by 7m and costing £350,000 to build, the enclosure is divided into four pens and can house up to 16 giraffes, as well as providing access to the park’s 16 acre African reserve.

It is currently home to four giraffes, who moved in last September, two-year old Palle arrived from Copenhagen, Denmark, to join Jambo who is also two-years old, and fully-grown males Jasper and Behansin.

Worksop Galvanising commercial manager Paul Robinson said he was delighted to team up with North Eastern Plant and Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

“The enclosure has already proved a huge success with visitors and staff at the park, and I’m sure it will become home to many more giraffes in the years to come,” he said.

Jim Turner, of Doncaster-based North Eastern Plant, said: “We have a great working relationship with Worksop Galvanizing, who we have partnered with for many projects.”

“Galvanizing the steel not only protects it from the weather, but also against rust and corrosion caused by highly acidic animal urine and waste.”

Cheryl Williams, of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, said: “We are very pleased with Wedge Group Galvanizing for its help on the project.”

“The giraffe house was a very complex job with a lot of bespoke metal work that needed galvanizing, so it was quite a big job.”

“The standard of the house is excellent and we have had a lot of very good comments from other zoos who have sent staff to see it.”