A Real Fix: How Ultra Worx Helped Penguins at Banham Zoo

Monday 07/09/2026

Penguins, a huge netting system and an installer in a boat. This was never going to be your average bird-proofing job.

When Banham Zoo needed a home for its penguins during the redevelopment of their enclosure, Ultra Worx was asked to turn a former sea lion enclosure into a safe, secure temporary home.

The challenge was to keep wild birds out of the new enclosure to lower the risk of avian flu, but without blocking the view between visitors and the penguins.

Ultra Worx was brought in to install a large netting system, but the unusual nature of the enclosure meant the team had to get creative.

The Solution: Creating a Secure but Unobtrusive Enclosure

Banham Zoo chose N19T Sparrow Netting, a 19 mm translucent netting from PestFix.
Its translucent finish suited the project because it kept wild birds out while still letting visitors enjoy views of the penguins.

But, installing it was far from simple.

As the enclosure was formerly home to sea lions, much of the area was over water. Ultra Worx could access the sides, but there was no direct access to the centre.

The team had to carefully measure and stitch several large sections of netting together on the ground before lifting them into position. The enclosure’s unusual shape added another challenge, with posts at different heights making it tricky to keep the net square and maintain consistent tension across the whole area.

And then there was the small matter of getting the overhead net into position.

While the team worked from the sides of the enclosure, one Ultra Worx operative took to the water in a boat. Armed with a long guiding pole, they helped manoeuvre the net as it was lifted into place.

The team spent around three weeks completing the installation, paying close attention to achieving the correct tension for a clean finish.

The Right Tools for the Job

Alongside the N19T netting, Ultra Worx used the NT140 3.5 mm Ferrule Ratchet Crimp Tool during the installation.

"Alongside the translucent netting, one of the key pieces of equipment we used was the NT140 3.5 mm Ferrule Ratchet Crimp Tool. It performed extremely well, and we would highly recommend it for similar installations." Michael Carver, Director of Operations and Safety at Ultra Worx.

Product selection was supported by Julie Pratt, Account Manager at PestFix, who worked with Ultra Worx to identify suitable materials and equipment for the installation.

Ultra Worx said:

"The products were highly recommended by Julie at PestFix, who is our trusted expert when it comes to selecting materials and equipment for specialist installations. Her advice helped us choose products that would provide a neat, reliable and professional finish."

The Result

The completed system provides Banham Zoo with a secure temporary penguin enclosure that prevents wild birds from gaining access while maintaining visibility for visitors.

The translucent netting helps the system blend into its surroundings rather than becoming a prominent part of the exhibit, allowing visitors to enjoy a clean view of the penguins.

Banham Zoo said:

"Ultra Worx donated time and materials to build our penguin habitat, delivering a high-quality result that supports animal welfare and opened on time. Outstanding."

Add an irregular structure, varying support heights, a large expanse of water – and an installer in a boat – and this was certainly no ordinary netting job.