Journal of Computers, Mechanical and Management

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© The Author(s) 2025.

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G. Pise, A. Kale, A. Kale, K. Kale, A. Kale, A. Kalamkar, Design and evaluation of a real-time IoTenabled zoo navigation and surveillance system, Journal of Smart Sensors and Computing, 2025, 1(2), 25211, doi: https://doi.org/10.64189/ssc.25211.

Abstract

Zoos often present complex layouts that make navigation challenging for visitors, leading to missed exhibits and reduced engagement. This study proposes a real-time, IoT-enabled navigation and surveillance system designed for zoological parks, with implementation at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park (Katraj Zoo), Pune. The system integrates GPS data, OpenStreetMap (OSM), and Leaflet.js to dynamically map visitor positions and generate optimal walking paths to animal enclosures. Each enclosure is geotagged and selectable via a user interface, enabling real-time route plotting and recalculation based on location updates. Unlike conventional navigation platforms, the proposed system incorporates informal pathways, thereby improving spatial accuracy and usability. Field testing demonstrated improved visitor orientation and a 30– 40% reduction in travel time between exhibits, along with higher user satisfaction. The approach is scalable and adaptable to other environments such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and botanical gardens.

Keywords: Zoo navigation; Real-time location; IoT; Shortest path; Geospatial visualization.

Graphical Abstract

Novelty statement

This work presents a scalable, cost-effective IoT-enabled navigation system for zoological parks that enhances visitor experience through real-time GPS tracking.