Case Studies | 4 min read
Smarter, Safer Communication: How Australia Zoo Upgraded to Hytera Digital Radios
Introduction
When every day is an operation.
Every day at Australia Zoo brings complexity, unpredictability, and responsibility. A child might wander off. An animal could become sick or injured without warning. Severe weather may trigger an emergency evacuation. In these moments, clear, instant communication isn’t just helpful — it’s critical.
500
Over 500 staff
700
Spread over 700 acres
1,200
Caring for 1,200 animals
Safety and efficiency are constantly being tested. And the team goes far beyond zookeepers — it includes veterinarians, trainers, educators, scientists, tour guides, retail staff, and volunteers. Each person plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly.
- People are always on the move.
- Work in unique environments
- Each group or team needs to be connected
- Some conversations need to be private
- Other conversations need to be Attention all staff.
But they all need one thing: to be connected instantly, reliably, and clearly.
Modern challenges need smarter solutions
Australia Zoo’s outdated communications system, a mix of analogue and early digital radios could no longer keep up. Coverage was patchy. Calls were unclear. Coordinating teams across the vast site had become slow, unreliable, and at times unsafe.
In 2019, Hytera partnered with Mobile Communications to roll out a Hytera digital trunking radio system a high-performance, site-wide solution built to:
- Thrive in rugged, all-weather conditions
- Support real-time communication and coordination
- Elevate safety and operational efficiency across the zoo
The Challenges
Expansive coverage requirements
Australia Zoo spans a large area with exhibits, enclosures, bushland, and offsite facilities. Staff regularly move between zones by foot, buggy, or vehicle. A long-range, uninterrupted communication system was essential to avoid dead zones, missed instructions, and delayed responses — all of which could compromise safety.
Demanding environment
Operations run year-round in all weather conditions. Staff and equipment are exposed to rain, heat, dust, and long hours in the sun. Radios are frequently dropped, splashed, and knocked about. The zoo needed durable, weather-resistant devices that could maintain performance throughout tough conditions and long shifts.
Emergency-ready communication
With thousands of visitors daily, the zoo required secure, private channels for internal communication — and an instant ALL CALL function for emergencies. Whether responding to a medical event, animal incident, or storm warning, teams needed the ability to alert and coordinate quickly, without confusion or delay.
The Solution
Mobile Communications installed a Hytera digital trunking radio system featuring:
- Hytera handheld radios for on-the-ground staff
- Hytera mobile radios for zoo vehicles
- Hytera repeaters for full-ground coverage
- DMR XPT (Extended Pseudo Trunking) system
Top reasons why Hytera
Group channels
With Hytera’s DMR XPT Extended Pseudo Trunking system, each team operates on their own dynamically assigned group channel – whether vets, keepers in the African Safari Park or Crocodile Environmental Park, visitor services, or maintenance crew you don’t want to be all talking at cross purposes.
Australia Zoo required secure, private channels for sensitive conversations across animal care, security, and guest services — Hytera delivered a trusted solution.
No crosstalk, no confusion - just instant, interference-free communication when and where it’s needed.
Dynamic channel allocation
Think of Hytera Extended Pseudo Trunking system as a smart traffic controller. It automatically assigns available channels in real-time — even with 200+ users.
No delays - Essential during peak periods or emergencies when every second counts.
Scalable and future-proof
Start small, grow big. Hytera supports organisations from 20 to 200+ users — without a full infrastructure overhaul.
Australia Zoo, with over 500 staff, adopted a Hytera system that scaled seamlessly to match their operational demands.
Built to scale - with your team, your site, and your future.
Lightweight and user-friendly
Handheld radios are compact and ideal for long shifts — weighing just 290–310g (model dependent) and delivering up to 16 hours of battery life in digital mode. Mobile radios are intuitive and simple to use — even for non-technical staff.
Models were trialled and tested by staff to ensure real-world readiness before rollout.
Crystal clear, secure comms
Powered by DMR technology, Hytera delivers:
Audio
Clear audio in noisy environments
Battery
40% longer battery life than analogue systems
Secure
Enhanced 256-bit AES encryption for secure conversations
(Source: ETSI DMR Standards, Hytera DMR brochures)
The Results
Clear comms. Faster response. Safer outcomes.
Since rolling out Hytera, Australia Zoo has seen major gains in day-to-day efficiency and incident response with fewer delays, less downtime, and stronger coordination across teams.
For a high-traffic, high-stakes environment like a zoo, the return on investment wasn’t just fast — it was obvious.
When training makes the difference
To support long-term success, Mobile Communications delivered onsite radio training for all staff. This included:
- How to make and manage group calls
- Using emergency alert features
- Troubleshooting and care best practice
The goal wasn’t just technical setup, it was to build confidence and ensure every team member, regardless of their tech background, could use the system effectively in the field.
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