Vacuum Excavation Zoo Project – Excavation With Bite!

The Job
Our team was recently called out to a vital vacuum excavation project at a zoo. The job was to help create a new, safe home for Aqua, a rescued tiger with a heartbreaking past and a much brighter future!

The project was to build a brand-new pen for Aqua – part of his journey from being rescued at the Poland-Belarus border in 2019, where he was one of ten tigers found in terrible conditions while being trafficked. After rehabilitation in Spain, Aqua is now waiting to settle into his forever home at the zoo.

We were brought in during the groundwork phase. They needed to install secure posts for the new enclosure, but the area included underground high-voltage electrical cables, making it dangerous to dig using traditional methods. That’s where John Mee Vac-Ex Hire came in.

Key Issues
The biggest concern on this job was ensuring everyone’s safety. The zoo team needed to install posts deep into the ground; however, they were directly underneath known high-voltage electrical lines. Anything done incorrectly could have resulted in serious injury, disruption to the zoo, or worse.

Digging by hand wasn’t an option – it was too risky. A plan was needed to clear the ground safely, without risking damage to the cables below.

Conclusion
At John Mee Vac-Ex Hire, we used vacuum excavation to carefully uncover the underground services, allowing us to work safely around the high-voltage cables without causing any disruption. Once the area was fully exposed, the construction team were able to install the enclosure posts with no risk to buried infrastructure. The posts were then securely set using resin.

The project was completed smoothly, on time, and without any issues, making sure Aqua’s new enclosure could be built exactly as planned.

Why It Matters
At John Mee Vac-Ex Hire, we know that some jobs go beyond the usual scope of construction – and this was one of them. This wasn’t just another site; it was about helping give a rescued tiger a fresh start. Aqua has already endured more than most animals ever should, and the zoo has worked tirelessly to provide him with the safe and secure environment he deserves.

Our part in the project may have been behind the scenes, but it was vital. By safely exposing underground services and clearing the area for construction, we played a crucial role in ensuring that there were no delays or risks in building Aqua’s new home.

It’s work like this that reminds us why we do what we do – using our expertise in safe excavation to support projects that genuinely make a difference.

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