Akron Zoo is wild about Milestone MobiDEOS video

  • Aug 26, 2011

Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software, is integrated with MobiDEOS mobile client access at the Akron Zoo in Ohio, who has opted for video surveillance as a cost-effective and practical means to monitor animal health and behavior.

The Akron Zoo is a private, non-profit organization focusing on wildlife preservation and conservation education. It is one of the highest attended attractions in Summit County. Now, the zoo has about 105 employees and the entire park covers an expansive area of over 50 acres (about 200 km2), with more than 700 animals to manage like penguins, lions, Komodo dragons, tigers, bear and red pandas.

Akron Zoo chose Milestone XProtect Professional video management software (VMS). They initially installed version 6.5, and ensured a good return on their investment by upgrading later on: they report that when version 7.0 was installed, the improvement was "really unbelievable" with the implementation and operation "very easy and self-explanatory."

Other components for the zoo's surveillance installation include a Windows server with a large storage device and a mix of Axis and Mobotix network video cameras (specifically, Axis 213 PTZ, Axis 214 PTZ, Axis P3344-VE, and Mobotix Q24M-SEC).

MobileCamViewer from Milestone Solution Partner mobiDEOS provides wireless remote access for the zoo's veterinarians to monitor animals from home or elsewhere, without having to be stationed in front of their computers. MobileCamViewer is used on BlackBerry devices, through a special integration made possible with the Milestone Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK is based on an open-platform programming interface, which allows third-party integrators like mobiDEOS to add their own functionality with ease.

Milestone video advantageous for all creatures

The surveillance solution is primarily used to observe, rather than to alert, and its advantages are numerous. From a veterinary perspective, it is useful because it minimizes physical human intervention and allows staff to remotely observe animals' natural behavior. It minimizes unnecessary stress, and ill or birthing animals can easily be observed.

Each animal holding area has a display monitor outside the door that shows a live video feed from various views inside the area, so keepers can check proper containment and location of potentially dangerous animals before entering. This increases general human safety and ensures that animals are not inadvertently startled. When animals become ill, the video can be viewed to determine the cause - and with the MobileCamViewer mobile solution, veterinarians can observe sick animals before arriving at the site.

The Milestone Smart Client user interface is used mostly by supervisors and veterinarians, and no training was needed in order to use it:  the zoo personnel have found the system very user-friendly.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities