Barcelona Zoo, located in Parc de la Ciutadella and founded in 1892, is a centre for research, education, and conservation which, across a site of 13 hectares, houses more than 2,000 animals from 300 species and receives nearly one million visitors annually. In recent years, Barcelona Zoo has committed to the renewal of its facilities, incorporating technological resources to improve animal welfare, facilitate research, and enrich visitor experience. Barcelona Serveis Municipals (BMS) has promoted an investment to ensure the site is prepared for future surveillance systems and interactive information tools.
The set of technological actions supports more efficient site management, facilitates the inclusion of advanced services such as intelligent surveillance or interactive communication, and strengthens the Zoo’s strategy as a European benchmark in the digital transformation of zoological institutions. The connectivity improvements also have a positive impact on educational activities and events, reinforcing the centre’s commitment to research, sustainability, and environmental education.
This intervention is part of the second phase of the Zoo’s technological renewal, focusing on the improvement of fibre optic infrastructure, the installation of new Wi-Fi access points, and the complete renewal of the public address system, based on criteria of efficiency, landscape integration, and regulatory compliance.
The existing multimode fibre network was replaced with a new singlemode fibre optic network, providing more robust and efficient connectivity while making use of the available conduits. Overhead sections were buried to improve safety and aesthetics. Seven new rack cabinets equipped with modern electronics and PoE power supply systems were installed to serve devices such as cameras, digital signage, or new Wi-Fi access points. In this regard, state-of-the-art access points were installed, compatible with IEEE 802.11 standards, powered by PoE, and strategically located according to coverage simulations, ensuring a minimum signal of -65 dB.
Another key component is the new IP-based public address system, which replaces old loudspeakers and cabling with a segmented and digitally manageable network. Clusters of loudspeakers with digital audio matrix and IP interfaces enable the broadcast of information messages, alarms, and background music, improving communication with the public and response capacity in emergencies.
As part of the Site Management, a special circumstance that conditioned the execution of the works was highlighted: the noise generated by construction could affect not only people but also the animals housed on site. For this reason, a schedule was developed to coordinate communication between the Zoo’s animal care team and construction workers.
Weekly, the detailed schedule of tasks planned for the following week was recorded, indicating time slots and the animal areas potentially affected by the works. This information allowed caretakers to anticipate possible impacts and, if necessary, temporarily relocate animals to areas isolated from noise or intervention.
Furthermore, the day before the execution of each task, if a direct impact was expected in areas occupied by animals, the animal care team was contacted by phone to remind them and ensure effective real-time coordination.
Additionally, given the high sensitivity of elephant footpads, which can detect vibrations as a sign of danger, the use of machinery for above-ground drilling was restricted within a specific safety radius. To avoid stress or distress in the animals, any drilling required within this radius was carried out manually, ensuring that no vibrations were generated that could be perceived by the elephants as a threat.
