AnS 490-H: Part I; Building a Portable Environmentally Enriched Wagon for a North American Porcupine

Abstract

The objective of this project was to design and construct a portable environmentally enriched wagon for a North American Porcupine with the intent for it to be used during educational presentations at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. The wagon design was built using SolidWorks. A nine-step process was developed to build the wagon: (1) cut the boards to proper length and secure with corner braces (2) place border around primary and secondary platforms (3) add casters to primary boards and pegs to secondary board (4) connect U-brackets to board underside for dowels to fit (5) cut and add plastic base to boards (6) place cork tiles on secondary board (7) secure tree trunk and branches to primary board (8) secure hide next to tree (9) add woodchips to primary board. It took approximately 53 hours with two persons to construct the wagon and cost ~$63. In conclusion, the construction of the portable environmentally enriched wagon was successful. It was cost friendly and completed within the desired time frame.