When Overflow Pools was asked to build the big cats' pool for the Phoenix Zoo, it was unlike any project they had ever tackled. Unlike a traditional backyard pool designed for people, this one needed to meet the instincts and behaviors of powerful predators. Human pools focus on comfort and aesthetics, smooth edges, precise water chemistry, and elegant finishes. But for big cats, the priorities shift completely toward safety, durability, and natural interaction.
The Big Cats Pool Design
The design had to mimic a wild watering hole, blending into the habitat’s landscape while standing up to claws, weight, and constant movement. Every material was chosen for strength, texture, and ease of maintenance, ensuring the pool could handle rough play while keeping the water clean and clear.
For builder Dane Palmero, the project was both challenging and rewarding. It was a true test of craftsmanship and adaptability. Constructing a big cats' pool required balancing engineering precision with an understanding of animal behavior, proving that even after decades in the pool industry, there’s always something new to learn.
“I have to be honest, I was a little intimidated by the project. I’ve never done anything for a habitat or wildlife.”
Even for some of the most experienced pros in the industry, there always seems to be something new to come along once in a while. For Dane Palmero — having started in pool service and repair in the late 1970s and shifting to pool building soon after — one might assume he’d seen it all.