Sector(s)

Visit the site

Visit the site

Organizations Involved

Al Ain Zoo, also known as Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, is a prominent zoological park located in the city of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Established in 1968, the zoo covers an extensive area and is considered one of the oldest and largest zoos in the region.

The main focus of Al Ain Zoo is wildlife conservation, education, and research. It houses a diverse collection of over 4,000 animals, representing more than 180 species, including endangered and indigenous species from various regions around the world. The zoo's mission is to protect and preserve wildlife, raise awareness about conservation, and promote environmental sustainability.

Visitors to Al Ain Zoo can experience a range of attractions and exhibits, each designed to offer educational and entertaining experiences. Some of the highlights include the African Savannah, the Primate Exhibit, the Reptile House, and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, which provides insights into the UAE's natural history and biodiversity.

Describe the project (goals, requirements and outcome)

  1. IoT Integration for Weather: Weather sensors and IoT devices integrated into the zoo's infrastructure provide real-time weather data, enabling visitors and zoo staff to stay informed about weather conditions and plan their activities accordingly.

  2. Mobile Application for Visitor Management: The mobile app allows visitors to manage their plans, access information about animals and exhibits, and book experiences and events inside the zoo. It enhances the visitor experience by providing a user-friendly interface and easy access to essential information.

  3. Beacon Integration and Management: Beacons strategically placed throughout the zoo guide visitors by sending location-based notifications to their mobile devices. This helps users navigate through the zoo, locate specific exhibits, and receive relevant information about the surrounding areas.

  4. Gamification and Puzzle with QR Code Integration: The zoo incorporates gamification and puzzles that utilize QR codes to offer an interactive and adventurous experience to visitors. Scanning QR codes placed at different points in the zoo unlocks challenges, rewards, and additional information about the animals and exhibits, making the visit more engaging and educational.

  5. Shuttle Management Backend through Drupal: Drupal serves as the backend system for managing the shuttle service within the zoo premises. It provides features such as shuttle scheduling, real-time tracking, and information on shuttle stops and routes, ensuring an efficient and organized transportation experience for visitors.

  6. Map Integration with GMap: The zoo's map is integrated with Google Maps (GMap), allowing visitors to view the zoo's layout, exhibits, and animal locations. This interactive map feature helps visitors plan their route, explore different areas, and locate their favorite animals during their visit.

Why Drupal was chosen

Drupal is an excellent choice for developing the Al Ain Zoo portal for the following reasons:

  1. Flexible Content Management System:
    Drupal provides a highly flexible and powerful content management system, allowing Al Ain Zoo to easily manage and update a vast amount of content related to animals, exhibits, events, and visitor information. The platform's user-friendly interface enables content editors to add and modify content efficiently.

  2. IoT Integration: Drupal's extensible architecture enables seamless integration with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The portal can provide real-time data on animal habitats, environmental conditions, and other aspects by connecting IoT sensors and devices throughout the zoo. This integration enhances the visitor experience and deepens their understanding of wildlife and conservation efforts.

  3. Shuttle Management: Drupal's capabilities can be extended to manage the shuttle service within the zoo premises. The portal can offer a shuttle scheduling system, real-time shuttle tracking, and information on shuttle stops and routes. This integration ensures a smoother and more organized transportation experience for visitors, enhancing overall satisfaction.

  4. Mobile App Development: Drupal's API-first approach and mobile-friendly design support make it an ideal platform for developing a mobile app for Al Ain Zoo. The mobile app can provide features such as exhibit navigation, event notifications, ticket booking, and interactive maps, further engaging visitors and enhancing their zoo experience.

  5. Scalability and Security: As Al Ain Zoo aims to attract a large number of visitors and grow its digital presence, Drupal's scalability ensures the portal can handle increasing traffic without compromising performance. Moreover, Drupal's robust security features protect sensitive data and maintain visitor privacy, ensuring a safe and secure online experience.

Technical Specifications

Drupal version: