I'd be shocked if the netting could support the weight of a chimpanzee (but perhaps a baby) and in truth the exhibit is not very well organized and also aesthetically poor. A few wooden poles, an old tire and clumps of grass amongst clumsily-designed rockwork makes for a disappointing ape enclosure. Also, I distinctly recall struggling to get a decent view of the animals or an adequate photo due to the harsh glare of sunlight reflecting from the glass. Most of the Rio Grande Zoo is merely adequate and overall it is not an establishment that I'm in a rush to tour again in the future.
I am thinking it is likely that the mesh is the type that l understand was fist developed in Italy, incredibly strong woven wire that is showing up in many primate exhibits around the world.
