Milestone open platform IP video management software (VMS) is helping the Dublin Zoo to protect its animals and their offspring from night-time attacks by local wild badgers and otters.
Milestone open platform IP video management software (VMS) is helping the Dublin Zoo to protect its animals and their offspring from night-time attacks by local wild badgers and otters.
Zookeepers at Dublin Zoo reported decreasing ostrich egg counts as well as unexplained flamingo injuries and deaths occurring during the night. A Milestone VMS solution integrating XProtect Corporate software with Axis infrared cameras pinpointed wild badger thefts and wild otter attacks as the sources of the problems. A Milestone and Axis integration from installing partner Kelcom led to strategic security adjustments at the zoo that now ensure animal safety.
Keepers were also keen to explore the use of video cameras for studying animal activities while safeguarding the welfare of creatures under their protection. New Axis infrared cameras were installed with Milestone XProtect Corporate video management software to provide live and recorded video that can be viewed on five different PC viewing stations around the zoo via the XProtect Smart Client. A total of 140 new Axis network cameras were installed by Milestone Expert Certified Partner Kelcom.
In addition to prevention measures aimed at stopping the overnight animal attacks, a host of additional needs were met at Dublin Zoo. Perimeter security, animal welfare, and animal behavior studies were also positively impacted.
Brendan Walsh, Senior Zookeeper, recently completed a three-year study of the zoo’s eight elephants to better understand their sleep patterns and night-time behaviors. He stated: “Through intensive study of images gathered on the Milestone XProtect video system from infrared cameras installed in the bull and cow elephant houses, we learned a great deal about the varied sleeping patterns of elephants at different ages.”
Dublin Zoo is officially Ireland’s biggest family attraction and draws more than 1 million visitors per year. The adherence to animal welfare practices prescribed by European and Global Associations is important for their co-operative research in conservation, biological and veterinary sciences.
The zoo’s operations manager and 12 of the 44 keepers employed at the zoo are able to access images around the clock via Milestone Mobile if they wish to keep an eye on the animals that are under their charge overnight.
Product Adopted:Software