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According to Minks, objects are often built through trial and error, such as the termite mound she created. Therefore, the job not only requires technical expertise, but also the ability to think fast on your feet.
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Diane Minks
 What can you do with sponges, tin foil and ice cream scoopers? Make termite mounds, of course! Lead artist/carver, Diane Minks, used similar materials to build a replica of a termite mound for Congo Gorilla Forest (CGF). According to Minks, the most important aspect in recreating any wildlife habitat is "detail and geological accuracy". In addition, to a termite mound, Minks also helped build trees, rocks, and some of the waterfalls featured in Congo Gorilla Forest.
Designers provide builders with models and pictures of the objects or scenes they want recreated. The carver determines the "texture and color" necessary to build the object. According to Minks, objects are often built through trial and error, such as the termite mound she created. Therefore, the job not only requires technical expertise, but also the ability to think fast on your feet.
 Throughout the building of CGF,the needs of both Bronx Zoo's animals and keepers were foremost on Minks' mind. The environment needed to be "safe for the animals" to function, and keepers needed to be able to get around the habitat effectively. Materials used to build CGF were steel, concrete, metal lath, fiberglass, and epoxy.
Prior to working on CGF, Minks did rock carvings for Sea Cliffs at the Aquarium in Coney Island. She enjoys working for the Wildlife Conservation Society, and particularly enjoys building wildlife habitats. When an animal takes to a structure she built or a person sits on a rock "they don't know is artificial," it is the highest compliment she can be paid. She knows she did her job well when animals and people accept her work to be the genuine article.
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