2026 Archive : Large Animal Transport Sling

Project Details

Fabric 1

22 oz per square yard Vinyl Coated Fabric
Producer/Manufacturer: E2 Technical Fabrics
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

2" MIL-SPEC Nylon Webbing, 5000 LB Breaking Stength
Producer/Manufacturer: MMI Textiles Inc.
Primary Use: Webbing/Narrow Fabric

Engineer Name 1
Daniel Nguyen

Engineer Company 1
Ehmke Manufacturing COmpany, Inc.

Design Name
Sam Armijos

Design Company
Fabric Architects LLC

Fabrication Name
Bob Rosania

Fabrication Company
Ehmke Manufacturing COmpany, Inc

Project Manager Name
Laura Ogden

Project Manager Company
Ehmke Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Please describe the project specifications

Project Description

Never in decades of designing and fabricating engineered industrial textile end-products could we have predicted this challenge: How do you safely transport an adult giraffe? Unfortunately, we can’t simply put a leash on him and walk him down the highway
A nationally recognized zoological institution faced a unique logistical and animal-care challenge. An adult giraffe needed to be transported to a new location, but conventional animal-handling methods were not practical. The solution required more than simply moving an animal—it required protecting the animal while providing zookeepers with a safe, controlled, and manageable means of handling an extraordinary load.
The objective was to engineer a mobile large-animal transport sling capable of supporting an animal weighing up to 3,000 pounds while allowing multiple trained caretakers to safely position, move, and manage the animal.
Drawing upon decades of experience developing engineered textile products for demanding industrial, aerospace, military, and commercial applications, the team approached the challenge as an engineering problem: identify the load requirements, environmental conditions, handling requirements, material performance, and safety considerations, then translate them into a practical textile system.
The result was a purpose-built sling that combines heavy-duty coated textile materials with high-strength webbing and reinforced sewing construction to create a portable support system for one of the world's largest land animals.

Project Complexity
The Large Animal Transport Sling had to satisfy an unusual combination of requirements that rarely intersect in conventional textile products. It needed to be strong enough to support an animal weighing thousands of pounds, durable enough to withstand repeated contact with an animal and the surrounding environment, washable enough for animal-care applications, and manageable enough for a team of caretakers to deploy and handle.
The system had to meet several competing requirements:
• High load capacity: Engineered to support an animal weighing up to 3,000 pounds while distributing the load across the sling structure.
• Multi-person mobility: Designed so multiple caretakers can position and maneuver the sling while maintaining controlled movement of the animal.
• Rapid deployment: Foldable and readily deployable when needed, without requiring complicated assembly or specialized equipment.
• Abrasion resistance: Constructed to withstand contact with the animal, handling surfaces, equipment, and the demanding conditions of a zoo environment.
• Washability and sanitation: Materials and construction selected to facilitate cleaning following exposure to moisture, bodily fluids, dirt, and environmental debris.
• Environmental resistance: Hydrophobic construction helps repel moisture and resist the penetration of contaminants.
• Structural stability: High-strength webbing and reinforced sewing patterns provide load-bearing support and help maintain the integrity of the sling under significant weight.
• Cost effectiveness: The system had to deliver substantial load-bearing capability and durability without introducing unnecessary complexity or expense.
Textile Engineering & Materials
The sling demonstrates how relatively conventional textile materials can be engineered into a highly specialized end product when material selection, pattern development, reinforcement, and sewing construction are carefully integrated.
The system utilizes:
• 22 oz./yd² heavy-duty vinyl-coated cloth for the primary load-supporting body of the sling, providing durability, abrasion resistance, moisture resistance, and cleanability.
• 2-inch nylon webbing with 5,000-pound minimum breaking strength for primary load-management and handling applications.
• Reinforced sewing construction at critical load-bearing areas to distribute forces and increase structural integrity.
• Purpose-built textile patterning and assembly designed around the geometry, weight, handling requirements, and unusual dimensions of an adult giraffe.

Project Results
The giraffe is alive & well. He was successfully and safely transported to its new location.
The Large Animal Transport Sling transformed a seemingly impossible transportation challenge into a manageable operation for the animal-care team. It provided a strong, durable, washable, portable, and cost-effective platform capable of supporting an extraordinary load while giving caretakers greater control during transport. Most importantly, the project demonstrates that advanced textile manufacturing is not limited by conventional applications. The same principles used to engineer products for aerospace, defense, and other demanding environments can be applied to completely unexpected challenges.

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