EUROPE’S first aquascape ecosystem pond to be constructed in a zoo setting has been completed to help Bode the bobcat feel at home in Tropiquaria, near Watchet.

Tropiquaria hopes to have Bode in his specially-built enclosure to meet visitors by Easter after the bobcat was rescued just hours before veterinary surgeons were due to euthanise him because a new home could not be found for him.

The construction was carried out in just five days by a collection of workers from aquatic landscape companies around the UK who gave their time for free.

One of the aquatic landscape team surveys bobcat Bode's newly-built water feature at Tropiquaria Zoo.
One of the aquatic landscape team surveys bobcat Bode's newly-built water feature at Tropiquaria Zoo. ( )

Zoo director Chris Moiser said: “This is a state of the art display/feature, the first of its kind in the UK.

“Ultimately done by a team of different companies put together by ‘Fish Shop Matt’.

“They have just finished projects in Namibia and America last week, and then it was Washford Cross this week.”

Mr Moiser said they were ‘the most amazing team of people we have ever met’.

The project was conceived a fortnight ago when Mr Moiser was visited by Dan Upsher, owner of DU Waterscapes, based near Ilminster, who in a week managed to ‘work a whole host of miracles’ by organising materials and putting together a team of workers.

Mr Moiser said: “These chaps donated their whole week, having rearranged schedules at short notice, worked from dusk till dawn every day, and are some of the nicest and most passionate people we have ever had the pleasure of working with.

“Many of them traveled from great distances, John all the way from Yorkshire, Ian from Bedfordshire, and Urban actually flew in from Slovenia especially for this project.

“The teams have already created some fantastic features in the US, for mountain lions and bears, to name a few, but this installation is the first of its kind to be installed in a zoo setting in Europe.

“Tropiquaria is immensely proud to be the first example of this and we hope people far and wide can take inspiration from the project.”

The water feature built in Tropiquaria zoo for Bode the bobcat.
The water feature built in Tropiquaria zoo for Bode the bobcat. ( )

Mr Moiser said the water feature for Bode was different from ‘ordinary ponds’ because it was an entirely self-sufficient living ecosystem, including a biofalls waterfall filled with specially-designed large surface area balls allowing beneficial bacteria to colonise and remove excess nutrients from water being returned to the pond.

Rocks and gravel also provided increased surface area for healthy bacteria to do its job, as well as creating ‘a beautifully realistic appearance’.

Mr Moiser said work would now start on the front and roof of the bobcat enclosure, followed by fitting out the rest of the spaces with dens, climbing, platforms, planting, and more features.

He hoped soon to be able to say when the enclosure could be officially opened and Bode introduced to the public.

An online funding appeal to help with the cost of the bobcat enclosure work has now reached nearly £6,500.

Mr Moiser said some future developments were also being planned where the aquatic landscape team could return, possibly involving Tropiquaria’s otters.