Recommended Mass Notification Solutions for Zoos & Aquariums

An entrance to a zoo is shown.

Each year, over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums in the U.S. and 700 million globally. Indoor and outdoor exhibits in zoos and aquariums make them vulnerable spaces for severe weather, natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, power outages, and fire emergencies. These threats disrupt daily operations and the safety of visitors, staff, and animal inhabitants.

Below, we will highlight mass notification solutions that zoos and aquariums can utilize to protect vulnerable populations and provide effective, widespread emergency communication.



Reliable Notification in Outdoor Areas

The Alertus High Power Speaker Array

Zoos and aquariums often cover many acres of land in urban cities, suburbs, and rural areas. These outdoor areas also contain a variety of facilities and enclosures, both large and small. To reach staff and visitors across widespread areas, the Alertus High Power Speaker Array can be positioned throughout noisy areas to provide clear voice messages and deliver unique siren tones across sprawling landscapes that will alert everyone of an emergency.




PROMPT ALERT ACTIVATION

Wall-mounted Alertus Activation buttons

When facing unruly visitors, trespassers, or an animal escape, zoo and aquarium staff can press wall-mounted activation buttons located in safety offices or across on-site facilities to address these emergencies. Alertus’ activation buttons are customizable with preset templates for faster emergency notification. They are easily accessible and come with clear lift covers.



Easily Monitor your Fire Panel System and Activate and Distribute Alerts

The Alertus Fire Alarm Panel Interface

Zoos and aquariums can easily integrate existing fire alarm panels and PA systems with the Alertus Fire Alarm Control Panel Interface, which takes fire alarm event information from the fire panel and applies logic technologies to broadcast emergency messages over multiple communication paths. If a fire breaks out, zoo officials can quickly activate the system and distribute emergency alerts with evacuation instructions concerning the impacted areas.


WEATHER MONITORING

Lightning strikes over a large facility

Severe weather and natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, and flooding can be detrimental to the safety of visitors, staff, and animals. Weather monitoring services like Alertus Threatwatcher can automatically broadcast real-time weather updates and site-specific warnings from the National Weather Service and Environment Canada National Warnings. 

Contact us to learn more about outfitting your zoo or aquarium with mass notification solutions to provide critical emergency notifications and peace of mind.

Kara Stamets