In the past years the Nyíregyháza Zoo Nonprofit Kft. (Hungary) has performed major investments. In 2021-2022 we could only guess the number of the many innovations and developments to be implemented in the park; many of these investments are now already finished and fully functional. The investments mentioned included also the upgrading of the communication equipment, not only in the vast outdoor area but also inside the new buildings.
Viktória Kerezsi-Dévényi, manager of Anico Hamshop talks to Dr. Endre Papp, deputy director of the zoo
The Zoo has tested several communication tools in the past years, which had been provided by the Hungarian company Anico Kft. [Anico Ltd. Hungary] In case of the Zoo staff solid communication is very important, not only in the outer areas, but also throughout the park, including the inner areas and the new buildings. The new Jégvilág [Ice World] building complex also poses a major challenge in terms of radio communication, as the lower rooms’ structure resembles a bunker. Here there is hardly any mobile service, as these facilities lay below several floors.
This situation has led to the need for high performance industrial walkie-talkies. Dust and impermeability were key requirements, as there are several humid locations and attractions in the Zoo. Furthermore, the runways are often covered with mud. During the trial period the Zoo staff tested several models, the chosen ones being the waterproof Hytera BP615 models.
For the purpose of testing the effectiveness and in the context of the recently opened Jégvilág [Ice World], we were given the opportunity to see for ourselves the way the walkie-talkie system works.
Zsuzsa Révészné Petró, Head of Education and Public Relations at the zoo, guides the staff via a transceiver
Furthermore, we had the opportunity to observe the way the staff had been using the walkie-talkies during animal feeding. The glass wall was no obstacle in case of the penguins, consequently the caretakers and other staff did not have to pantomime or use the mobile phone in one hand, while holding the fish-bucket in the other hand. The use of walkie-talkies has become essential also in case of the feeding of the polar bears, as there is absolutely no visibility between the handlers in the visitor area and the caretakers on the platform.
As it turns out, the rapid exchange of information is important not only in case of the animal caretakers and the runway workers, but it also greatly supports the work of park staff assisting the visitors.
Following a conversation with the Deputy Director, we also learned that the use of walkie-talkies has become essential in almost every aspect of the Zoo activities, from escorting VIP groups to transporting animals. Following the trial period the park staff has easily gotten used to using common channels, since it is important that everybody is aware of the activities carried out within the Zoo perimeters. Of course, for the purpose of efficiency multiple channels are needed, since the Jégvilág [Ice World] staff needs to communicate also separately from the rest of the Zoo staff.
Zoo staff waiting for visitors equipped with transceivers for fast and efficient communication
Covering the 36.5 acres of Zoo perimeter with handheld industrial walkie-talkies is impossible, especially from the basement or the engine room, therefore an SFR repeater was mounted on top of the Jégvilág [Ice World] building. This repeater works undetected on the main speech channel, by using the extra features of DMR transmission.
Based on the findings related to the Nyíregyháza Zoo [Hungary], it is safe to say that the Hytera BD615 DMR handheld walkie-talkie set was the right choice; these devices had been tested before purchase within the Anico Demo Program.
Please check out the Hungarian video about our visit in the Zoo:
If you would like to test our industrial walkie-talkies in your own working environment, please contact the company mentioned, who will be more than happy to assist you with testing and choosing! Apply for the Anico Demo Program here.
