Zoos & Wildlife Parks
Two-way radio brings together worker and visitor safety with animal welfare and efficient operations
Providing a safe and secure environment for humans and animals, free from the threat of injury is a basic requirement for all zoos and wildlife parks, whether an inner-city petting zoo or a UNESCO International Man and Biosphere Reserve.
Running a safe, secure and efficient zoo with staff often working alone and out of sight caring for animals, carrying out essential maintenance and repairs and making visitors feel welcome creates unique challenges to zoo and wildlife reserve operators and custodians.
Risks are many and varied, much more so than in ‘ordinary workplaces’, with extremes in weather, uneven terrain and slippery working conditions, and the unpredictability of wild animals adding to the hazards.
Risks can include:
|
Operations Support |
Worker Risks |
Regular training and maintenance alongside robust and well-practiced health and safety, rescue, lockdown and evacuation procedures are all prerequisites of zoo and wildlife park operations, so too is a requirement for a reliable and resilient communications across all areas of a site enabling employees to better organise supplies and tasks, report status and problems and critically, to get the support to deal with them before they can escalate. This is particularly the case in larger zoos and parks with dangerous animals and where employees may find themselves working alone in remote locations.
RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORTING SAFE ZOO AND WILDLIFE PARK OPERATIONS
Two-way radiocommunication provides the most powerful means to bring together teams of people, giving each person the reassurance that they are never more than the push of a button away from assistance, most especially in the event of an incident where access for emergency services, site lockdown or the rapid, safe and orderly evacuation of people and animals needs to be managed.
Zookeepers and their radios work side-by-side in the same harsh environment, so it is critical that the radio devices used and the system that supports them will function without interruption especially in last resort situations when mobile phone coverage and IP connectivity are not available.
And even in this age of smart, connected devices, for example, mobile phones, tablets, and hybrid LTE/PoC radio, the simplicity of radiocommunications still brings compelling advantages.
Robust, low purchase cost, no dialling or waiting for a connection, no dropped calls, no service contracts or usage charges, no switching between applications or fragile touch screens to break are just some of the benefits - providing instant voice and data communications at the push of a button indoors and out without distractions and enabling the use of discrete coded instructions by voice and data should the content be of a sensitive nature.
Two-way radio systems have been used to support zoo and wildlife park operations for many years, initially in analogue format. Today, digital technologies like KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN which can not only deliver effective wireless voice and data communications indoors and out over wide coverage areas, but also incorporate advanced worker safety features and compatibility with automation and productivity applications are increasingly employed.
|
Operations Support |
Security and Safety Support |
RADIOCOMMUNICATION ENABLING ROBUST HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY POLICIES
Two-way radio systems can provide one-to-one, group and all users communication options, giving you the flexibility to build a radio capability that underpins your operations with voice and data calls to link management, hosts, guides, catering, maintenance, grounds, shops, security and first aid teams or communicating with all staff, everywhere on site to call for assistance or in the event of a major incident.
Put simply, think of two-way radio as the communication tool of first and last resort; connecting individuals and groups instantly at the push of a button and continuing to work even when mobile networks get overloaded or IP connections crash.
KENWOOD TWO-WAY RADIO SOLUTIONS – FROM CITY CENTRE PETTING ZOOS TO WILDLIFE PARKS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Not all zoological and wildlife parks are on expansive sites requiring sophisticated radio systems. Thousands of smaller animal attractions are open to the public and while communication requirements may be more modest, they remain critical to safe daily operations. KENWOOD offers reliable, digital two-way radio solutions to suit all types of attractions.
ProTalk License-Free PMR446 – simple and effective
The simplicity and convenience of license-free PMR446 technology has made it a popular choice for smaller animal attractions where its reliability, ruggedness and ease of use provides instant communication between individuals and groups over shorter distances at the push of a button.
Digital dPMR446 is by far the most popular license-free technology among professional users: offering clear reception to the full extent of the coverage area, durability, a long battery life between charges and simplicity of operation in all weather conditions. These are just some of the key attributes of the current generation of KENWOOD ProTalk digital dPMR446 radios, along with many more advanced features only previously found in licensed radios.
The ProTalk TK-3701D for example is better equipped than most license-free hand portable radios and features:
- native analogue to digital mixed operation
- a second programmable PTT button
- 32-digital and 16-analogue channels for congestion free operation even in cities
- construction to US MIL-STD Specification 810G
- IP54/55 weather protection
For an entry-level radio delivering instant one- to-one and call-all-radios capabilities straight out of the box, there’s little to better it.
Licensed DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN radio systems
For larger zoos and wildlife parks including those spread across multiple locations, a licensed KENWOOD digital radiocommunication system brings even greater benefits, including:
|
- Longer range/wider coverage |
- Flexibility to link multiple locations |
KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN digital protocols both offer the ability to build flexible and scalable systems suitable for covering single or multiple sites, while the embedded native analogue/digital Mixed operation (enabling radios to communicate automatically with existing licensed analogue radios), provides a predictable, economical migration path to digital two-way radio operation at an affordable cost and a solid basis from which to build a future-proof radio system.
A KENWOOD DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN system equipped with GPS devices can not only provide multiple communications channels and talk groups but also, with the addition of optional location services, for example employing KAS-10/20 software or Trackuracy ‘asset’ tracking suites, you are able to monitor and track every radio so you always know where staff are and can pinpoint and redeploy resources where they are needed or alert those closest to an incident to reduce response times.
Health & Safety (Including Emergency and Evacuation situations)
In addition to the efficiency that KENWOOD radio communication solutions bring to improving security, coordinating day-to-day zoo activities efficiently and enhancing the visitor experience, it also serves to help you comply with health and safety requirements/regulations.
However, where radio communication really excels is in the event of a major incident. Whether that be a medical emergency, staff at risk or a more serious event that requires key staff everywhere on site to be alerted instantly to initiate emergency, rescue, lockdown or evacuation procedures
All KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN hand portable and mobile in-vehicle two-way radio devices feature an Emergency Key and Emergency Call features as standard, while more advanced models additionally offer built-in or optional GPS modules, Lone Worker, Motion Detection and compatibility with Location services including as KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL/Dispatch suites and the Trackuracy platform which make them suited for incorporation in a robust and comprehensive health and safety policy. Once activated, these advanced safety features can include:
| Priority Call: |
The Priority Call feature ensures the availability of a radio channel in the event of an emergency and allows a control centre dispatcher or the Health, Safety and Security Manager to interrupt all existing calls on a channel. |
| Emergency Key: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender and when the Emergency Key button is pressed. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user. |
| Lone Worker: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender if a user does not respond to a status prompt within a specified time. |
| Man Down: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender if the radio is tilted beyond a pre-determined angle indicating that the user may have fallen or become incapacitated. Other programmable features include: - Stationary Detection: Emergency mode is triggered along with the user ID of the sender when the radio remains in a stationary position for a period exceeding a pre-set time, indicating that the user is unable to operate the transceiver, or it’s has been lost, mislaid etc. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user to a control centre using software such as KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites. - Motion Detection: Emergency mode is triggered along with the user ID of the sender when the radio is vigorously shaken or swung for a period exceeding a pre-set time, indicating that the user is running to or from an incident. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user to a control centre using software such as KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites. |
| Location Services: |
NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR radios equipped with GPS can additionally be programmed to send location information to the control centre using software such as KAS-10 or KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites so that the user at risk can be located quickly and response times reduced. |
| Asset Tracking and Monitoring: |
With Trackuracy, KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN systems can be equipped with low-energy, real-time asset monitoring and tracking across single and multiple sites, indoors and out. Alerts, alarms delivered as audible tones, voice or data messages can be programmed to trigger automatically should the user stray off course or enter restricted areas. |
| Remote Monitor: |
Remote Monitor allows control centre staff to listen in to a radio through its microphone in situations where an alarm is activated, and the radio user is unable to respond. This provides the Health, Safety and Security Manager with the intelligence to assess a situation in real time and to quickly initiate an appropriate response. |
EXAMPLES OF PMR446, DMR AND NEXEDGE NXDN SYSTEMS FOR ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS
KENWOOD DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN system solutions for visitor attractions need not be complicated or costly. A simple, effective system providing indoor and outdoor coverage throughout an attraction above and below ground can be built employing either digital PMR446, DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN technologies as appropriate, for example:
| License-free PMR446 |
- ProTalk digital dPMR446 (for voice communications at smaller indoor and outdoor visitor attractions with no requirement for extended range, advanced features, worker safety or dispatch functions) |
| NEXEDGE NXDN & DMR |
- Digital conventional (typical for most visitor attractions) |
| Repeaters |
- Required to boost the radio signal if the site poses coverage problems |
| Base Station |
- Mobile radio(s) required for control room/radio dispatcher |
| Control Software |
- KAS-10 or KAS-20 Suite |
| Radio Devices |
- ProTalk license-free TK-3701D hand-portable |
|
Click here to contact a KENWOOD Digital Partner to discuss your specific requirements. |
EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO QUALITY EVEN IN NOISY ENVIRONMENTS
Background noise can be an issue for communications in animal attractions, making voice communication challenging. Effective noise cancellation results in clearly audible voice communication irrespective of the level of background noise, a crucial safety and security requirement in managing crowds, especially in the event of a major incident.
KENWOOD radiocommunication devices benefit from JVCKENWOOD Group’s 60-years’ experience in producing consumer audio and visual equipment (Trio, JVC and KENWOOD), renowned for exceptional sound quality.
This transfer of knowledge and experience has led to the development of a number of novel and innovative solutions which overcome the problem of cancelling ambient noise while improving the audio clarity of the transmitted voice - in any operating environment.
| Ultimate noise cancellation: |
NX-5000 Series hand-portable radios achieve optimum noise cancellation with the use of two integrated microphones. The main microphone is situated closer to the desired source (front of the radio), while a second microphone in the rear of the radio receives the ambient noise. In a noisy environment, both microphones receive noise at a similar level, however, the main microphone receives the user’s voice more strongly. The processor in the radio subtracts one noise source from the other so that most of the ambient noise is cancelled which effectively enhances the quality of the transmitted audio of the user’s voice. |
| Active Noise Reduction: |
Both NX-5000 and NX-3000 Series radios feature Active Noise Reduction (ANR). ANR serves to cancel the noise component of the collected audio to improve the transmitted audio quality. Noise cancellation functions can be ‘Custom’ configured to adjust the vocoder, DSP, filters, specific noises etc. to suit the operating environment. |
| Selectable Audio profiles: |
The received audio will sound different depending on the usage environment of the radio, characteristics of the device (such as the microphone to be combined with the radio and external devices), and the tone of voice and manner of speaking of the speaker. The received audio will also sound different depending on the output method, such as using the speaker of the radio or via an earphone, to hear the received audio. KENWOOD radios feature 6 customisable audio profiles which can be configured for specific scenarios and selected by the user to suit the operating environment. |
DISCRETE OPERATION
You can connect discrete microphone and earphone accessories to KENWOOD radios so transmissions cannot be heard by others, important when coordinating security and emergency operations. Kenwood NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR hand portable radios are also compact and light making them easy to carry or keep hidden from view. Click here to explore the range of accessories available for KENWOOD radio devices including high-capacity batteries, multiple chargers, microphones, speakers, headsets and earpieces.
COST-EFFECTIVE MIGRATION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL
The beauty of a KENWOOD digital two-way radio solution is that your investment in new equipment when upgrading from analogue can be phased over time as all KENWOOD digital radio devices feature automatic analogue/digital Mixed operation (which allows them to communicate automatically with any existing analogue radios whatever the make) providing a predictable and cost-effective path to full digital implementation.
BUILT TOUGH TO WITHSTAND RAIN, DIRT AND THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE OF USE IN OUTDOOR AND INDOOR SETTINGS
Radios used at visitor attractions need to be robust, able to operate constantly for long periods and in all weather conditions.
As you would expect, all KENWOOD professional hand portable walkie talkies and mobile radios conform to MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F/G for ruggedness and durability and are IP54/55/67 Water & Dust Intrusion rated, making them suited for use in any environment – most especially at parks with water attractions!
In addition, KENWOOD can offer ATEX IECEx devices for use in hazardous, explosive atmospheres.
SECURITY & PRIVACY
As more products are connected by IP and to networked information and automation systems, there is a growing risk of leakage and theft of personal and other information, fabrication or destruction of data, and hijacking of products.
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of radiocommunication products and solutions, we take our responsibility for ensuring the security integrity of our products and the data we hold on systems developed on behalf of our customers. Click for more information on JVCKENWOOD’s Group Privacy Policy.
Product Security
Secure encryption is an essential requirement in radiocommunications to provide security against eavesdropping, jamming and other malicious attacks on a radio system.
All KENWOOD digital radio devices are equipped with a voice scrambler feature as standard, while licenced NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR radios are further protected with more advanced encryption:
| PROTALK PMR446: |
Voice inversion scrambler |
| NX-1000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler as standard, optional upgrade to ARC4 Encryption for DMR |
| NX-3000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler as standard, optional 56-bit DES encryption and upgrade to 256-bit AES (NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR) and 40-bit ARC4 encryption for DMR |
| NX-5000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler and DES-56 bit (4 keys) as standard, optional hardware upgrade to 56-bit DES and support to 256-bit AES |
Information Security
The Communications Systems Business, Professional Systems Business and the Healthcare Business units of JVCKENWOOD Corporation are certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 international standards for information security management system and JIS Q 27001:2014 Japanese industrial standards, both of which specify standards for information security management systems and establish requirements and implementation of the framework to protect information assets.
EXPLORE KENWOOD SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR ZOO AND WILDLIFE PARK
Two-way radio provides the most effective means to communicate between cross functional teams reliably and instantly everywhere on a site, which is why KENWOOD two-way radios and systems are in use at many leading zoos and wildlife parks around the world including the Kruger National Park (South Africa), trunked systems at National Parks in Tanzania and Kenya, and digital conventional systems operating at Opel and Leipzig Zoos (Germany).
 |
Opel Zoo is fully covered with KENWOOD DMRKeeping everything running smoothly on the 27-hectare site occupied by Opel Zoo calls for a powerful radio system connecting all the different areas, technicians and administrative staff. The zoo’s team is now using a KENWOOD DMR digital radio system with repeater to achieve full coverage of the sprawling site. |
 |
Kruger National Park upgrades to NEXEDGE NXDNWith close to 10,000 square kilometres of mixed terrain to cover and the risk of incidents and hostile encounters, the KENWOOD NEXEDGE NXDN system not only meets the need for critical instant, reliable voice communication but also provides GPS tracking so that resources can be deployed or augmented efficiently to protect borders and wildlife at Kruger National Park. |
 |
Leipzig Zoo operations now supported by NEXEDGE NXDN digital technologyLeipzig Zoo is home to some 850 animal species and subspecies and is committed to a unique concept in species-appropriate husbandry. Its techniques, conservation and education programmes are lauded as exemplars for zoos of the future. |
To discover more about the millions of KENWOOD devices in use by countless customers in hundreds of applications around the world, including the innovative, multi-protocol NX-5000 Series (NXDN, DMR, P25 and FM Analogue), NX-3000 Series (NXDN, DMR and FM Analogue) and exceptional value offered by the entry-level NX-1000 Series hand portable walkie talkies and mobiles, please click on the banners below.
For more information on KENWOOD digital system solutions, including DMR Tier 3 trunking and Simulcast, NXDN Type-C, Type-D, and Gen2 trunking, click here.
If you’d like to learn more about our TRACKURACY, our real-time Bluetooth Low Energy asset tracking and monitoring solution, click here.
Alternatively, please post an enquiry to us or contact an authorised KENWOOD Communications reseller.
► Please complete our Enquiry Form or contact an Authorised reseller for help with your project
QUICK LINKS
Please click the banners to explore your choice of technology and solution
