Edinburgh Zoo Tiger Heating for the Tiger Tracks Habitat

The Goal

Edinburgh Zoo tiger heating was required for the new Tiger Tracks habitat in Scotland. The project formed part of the zoo’s wider Big Cat Strategy. It created a new enclosure for a breeding pair of endangered Sumatran tigers.

Edinburgh Zoo invested £0.5 million in the new habitat. Tiger Tracks was three times larger than the tigers’ previous enclosure. The design aimed to recreate the warmth and comfort of their native Indonesian environment.

Reliable heating was particularly important inside the dens. The system needed to provide safe and consistent warmth throughout the year. It also had to support climate conditions suited to the tigers.

Animal enclosures place demanding requirements on installed equipment. Therefore, the underfloor heating needed to withstand heavy-duty use. It also had to operate beneath the finished den surfaces.

The zoo required heating across three dens and a separate cubbing box. The den areas ranged from 1.87 m² to 7.84 m². Each zone required an output suited to its individual size.

Our Solution

Heat Mat worked with Edinburgh Zoo’s electrical engineers to design the system. Ross Electrical also supported the project as the electrical wholesaler. Together, they delivered a tailored underfloor heating solution for the enclosure.

The installation used 200 W underfloor heating mats. Installers positioned the mats on top of the concrete plinths. They then covered the heating with bonded sand and soil.

This construction placed the heating beneath the surface used by the tigers. Therefore, the system could warm the dens without leaving heating equipment exposed. The arrangement also suited the enclosure’s heavy-duty requirements.

Heat Mat supplied NGTouch thermostats to manage the heating. These controllers provided simple and intelligent temperature control across the individual zones. Each den could therefore receive the required level of heating.

The cubbing box received a total output of 310 W. Den 1 received 1,438 W, while Dens 2 and 3 each received 1,291 W. This created four separately specified heated areas.

The project demonstrates a specialised use of underfloor heating mats. The same core technology provided controlled warmth beneath an animal enclosure rather than a conventional residential floor.

The Result

The new Tiger Tracks enclosure opened in June 2016. It created an immersive environment for both the animals and zoo visitors. The completed habitat was described as a state-of-the-art enclosure.

The Edinburgh Zoo tiger heating now provides warm spaces for Baginda and Jambi. Heated dens and outdoor heated rocks encourage natural behaviour throughout the year. The controlled warmth also supports the animals’ comfort and welfare.

At the time of the project, fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remained in the wild. Therefore, the zoo considered captive breeding an important part of conservation work. A warm and enriched habitat supported its welfare and breeding objectives.

Zoo electricians also highlighted their previous experience with Heat Mat systems. Earlier installations had served meerkats, pandas, monkeys, tapirs and lions. This proven performance influenced the decision to use the same supplier again.

The finished installation combined durable heating mats with intelligent temperature control. It delivered separate outputs for three dens and the cubbing box. As a result, the tigers receive consistent warmth across the key indoor areas.

Edinburgh-Zoo-Tiger-Enclosure-Heating.pdf